""This really speaks to countries' reactions to ongoing wars, tensions and geopolitical uncertainty," said Xiao Liang, a researcher in SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme."
""With all these crises still ongoing, and many countries' long-term spending plans already locked in, this trend will probably continue through 2026 and beyond.""
""That is definitely the biggest driver. In recent years, we've seen Russia's and Ukraine's own spending as the main factor in Europe.""
""They recorded the highest annual growth since the end of the Cold War last year.""
In 2025, global military spending rose for the 11th consecutive year, totaling $2.887 trillion, the highest ever recorded. This increase reflects countries' responses to ongoing conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza, and broader geopolitical uncertainties. European military spending surged by 14% to $864 billion, influenced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Many European nations, especially NATO members, are enhancing their defense budgets to counter perceived threats. Countries like Spain, Poland, and Italy saw significant increases in their defense budgets, marking the highest growth in military spending since the Cold War.
Read at www.dw.com
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