SIPRI: Record arms spending, again

Global military expenditure reached a record high in 2025, with governments worldwide spending $2.887 trillion on defense, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This surge is largely driven by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, including the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. The data highlights a significant increase in European defense budgets, which rose by 14% to $864 billion, reflecting heightened security concerns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Europe’s military buildup is primarily motivated by fears of expanded Russian aggression, prompting NATO members and other European countries to boost their defense capabilities. Central and Western European nations have seen the most pronounced increases, with Spain’s defense budget growing by 50%, Poland’s by 23%, and Italy’s by 20%. Germany emerged as the largest military spender in Europe, increasing its defense budget by 24% to $114 billion, making it the world’s fourth-largest military spender. For the first time since 1990, Germany’s military spending surpassed the NATO guideline of 2% of GDP, reaching 2.3%. This was facilitated by a parliamentary change exempting defense spending above 1% of GDP from the country’s strict debt brake, enabling increased borrowing for military purposes. SIPRI researcher Xiao Liang noted that while Germany’s military capabilities may not be rising as quickly as its spending suggests, the country is on a path toward greater military power and independence. The broader European military expansion also reflects concerns over the reliability of future U.S. security guarantees, especially after former President Donald Trump questioned NATO’s collective defense commitments. This shift signals a strategic recalibration among European allies seeking to reduce dependence on the United States. The continued escalation in global military spending raises concerns about a potential new arms race, with SIPRI warning that the trend is likely to persist into 2026 and beyond. The sustained investment in defense amid multiple ongoing conflicts underscores the deepening geopolitical instability and the challenges facing international security frameworks.