Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.With military aid totaling $35 billion, including substantial assistance from the USs, Ukraine's military expenditure reached about 91% of Russia's. lobal defence spending surged to an unprecedented $2.443 trillion last year, a significant 6.
This rise in military investment underscores the persistent drumbeat of global tension. The US has amplified its commitment to defence, with a staggering allocation of $886 billion for 2024, a contrast to the $618.7 billion of 2017 — an increase exceeding 40% in only seven years. The US grapples with the twin spectres of geopolitical rivalry and military modernisation, as justified by Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
But, Ukraine, propelled by a spending surge of 51%, narrowed the spending gap with Russia. With military aid totaling $35 billion, including substantial assistance from the USs, Ukraine’s military expenditure reached about 91% of Russia’s. Military spending in the Middle East surged by 9% to about $200 billion, solidifying its position as the region with the highest proportion of GDP allocated to defence worldwide, standing at 4.2%. Europe followed closely at 2.8%, with Africa at 1.9%, and Asia and Oceania at 1.7%. The Americas recorded the lowest proportion, with military spending accounting for 1.2% of GDP.
The risk of a broader conflict escalation underscores the fragility of the region’s security architecture and the imperative for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.