In terms of military spending, the United States was the top country in 2021, spending $801 billion, or over 38% of all military spending worldwide. Since SIPRI started keeping track in 1949, America has been the nation with the highest military expenditures, accounting for more than 30% of global military spending during the past 20 years.
The United States spent more on its military in 2021 than all other countries in the top 10 combined, a rise of $22.3 billion year over year.
China came in second place in terms of military spending, spending $293.4 billion, or approximately 14% of all military expenditures worldwide. China has grown its military spending for 27 years in a row, despite the fact that its budget is still less than half that of the United States.
In actuality, during the past ten years, China’s military spending has more than doubled.
Russian military budget, which totaled $65.9 billion in 2021, placed it only sixth among all countries, but as a percentage of GDP, it ranked among the higher-ranking countries. Saudi Arabia, which spent 6.6% of its GDP on the military, was the only country in the top 10 to spend more than Russia (4.1% of GDP).
Seismic geopolitical changes brought forth by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February have sparked a wave of international weapons exports and international cooperation. Since the start of the crisis, the U.S. has provided $8.2 billion in security aid to Ukraine, demonstrating how allies may help offset some of the cost of domestic military spending.
Global trade has been transformed into a brand-new battleground where import dependence and offshore assets are the attack axes. In addition to this, cyberattacks and cybersecurity are a complicated, enigmatic, and crucial aspect of the national defence and security.
The surge in geopolitical tensions and violence this year will almost probably lead to an increase in global military spending, whether or not Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ends in 2022.