World defense spending hits record high

According to SIPRI data, global military spending in 2022 increased by 3.7% to a record high of $2.224 trillion. In addition, global defense spending increased by 19% compared to the period 2013-2022 and has increased annually since 2015.

The United States, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia have become the world's leading military spenders. These five countries account for about 63% of the world's military-industrial complex spending.

According to the study, the significant increase in defense spending is mainly related to the conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, European support for Kiev as well as increased spending by Russia forced some countries to adjust their military budgets. Correspondingly, US spending increased by 0.7%, to 877 billion USD. Of which, Washington's total military aid to Kiev alone amounted to 19.9 billion USD.

Ammunition is gathered at a US joint base for transport to Ukraine. Photo: AP

China has continued to increase its defense budget for 28 years, which is also a record. China's spending is reported to be $292 billion. According to experts, the Russian Federation's military spending increased by 9.2% to $86.4 billion (at the same time, SIPRI statistics warn that the figures for Russia may be inaccurate due to incomplete official information from the Russian government). Meanwhile, Ukraine's military spending increased by 640%, the highest increase in a country since 1949. Ukraine's defense budget in these new statistics is up to $44 billion. However, the report does not mention aid from other countries to Kiev.

European military spending in 2022 increased by 13% to $480 billion, marking the highest growth in the past 30 years. Increased spending in some European countries, especially Russia and Ukraine, significantly impacted the record increase in the region. According to the report, among EU members, the countries with the highest increase in military spending were Finland (36%), Lithuania (27%), Sweden (12%) and Poland (11%)./.