India Ranks Fifth Globally in Military Spending, SIPRI Study Reveals
India’s military expenditure in 2024 was almost nine times higher than Pakistan’s, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released on Monday. This development comes amid rising tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack.
According to SIPRI’s “Trends in World Military Expenditure 2024” report, India spent $86.1 billion on defense — a 1.6% increase compared to the previous year — making it the fifth-largest military spender globally. In contrast, Pakistan’s military expenditure stood at $10.2 billion.
Global Military Spending Trends
The SIPRI study highlights that the world’s top five military spenders — the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India — accounted for 60% of the global military expenditure, totaling $1635 billion in 2024.
China, India’s neighbor and strategic rival, increased its defense spending by 7% to an estimated $314 billion, marking three consecutive decades of steady growth. China alone contributed to 50% of all military spending in Asia and Oceania, focusing heavily on modernizing its military, expanding cyberwarfare capabilities, and boosting its nuclear arsenal.
Rising Expenditures in Europe Amid Ongoing Conflicts
Military spending in Europe, including Russia, surged by 17% to $693 billion. Russia’s defense budget rose dramatically by 38% to $149 billion, equivalent to 7.1% of its GDP and 19% of its total government spending. The ongoing war in Ukraine has been a major factor driving this increase.
Ukraine, despite its struggling economy, raised its military spending by 2.9% to reach $64.7 billion, representing a staggering 34% of its GDP, the highest military burden recorded globally in 2024.
Senior SIPRI researcher Diego Lopes da Silva noted, “Russia once again significantly increased its military spending, widening the spending gap with Ukraine.”
Sharp Increases Across Central and Western Europe
Germany recorded a 28% rise in military expenditure, reaching $88.5 billion, making it the largest defense spender in central and western Europe and the fourth-largest globally. Similarly, Poland boosted its defense budget by 31% to $38 billion, accounting for 4.2% of its GDP.
SIPRI pointed out that several European nations have launched large-scale procurement plans and committed to long-term defense spending increases following rising security concerns.
India’s Strategic Outlook
India’s steady increase in defense spending reflects its growing focus on strengthening national security amid regional tensions. The significant gap between India and Pakistan’s defense budgets highlights New Delhi’s commitment to maintaining a strong strategic advantage.
As border tensions and regional challenges continue, India’s defense investments signal a clear focus on modernization, technology, and preparedness.
