Global military spending reached nearly $2.9 trillion last year, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth, according to a study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), LETA reports citing AFP.
The three countries with the highest spending — the USA, China, and Russia — collectively spent $1.48 trillion, accounting for just over half of global expenditures.
Spending increased by 2.9% compared to 2024, despite a decrease in the USA, where expenditures remain the largest in the world.
The decrease in spending in the USA was more than compensated by growth in Europe and Asia amid "another year of wars and rising tensions," noted researcher Lorenzo Scarazzato.
The USA spent $954 billion, which is 7.5% less than in 2024, mainly due to the lack of approved new financial military aid to Ukraine.
However, this decrease is expected to be temporary, as the US Congress approved spending of over a trillion dollars for 2026, which could rise to $1.5 trillion in 2027 if the budget proposal by US President Donald Trump is adopted.
The main driver of global growth was Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, where spending increased by 14%, reaching $864 billion.
"This is due to two main factors. The first is the ongoing war in Ukraine, the second is the reduction of US involvement in Europe," Scarazzato explained.
The USA is "pushing Europe to take more care of its own defense," the researcher noted.
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