Global Military Spending Up 2.9% as Ukraine Aid Frozen
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- Global military spending rose 2.9% in 2025, hitting a level not seen in 16 years.
- India climbed to the world’s 5th‑largest defense spender, with its budget reaching $92 billion in 2025.
- Europe and Asia drove most of the surge, as nations across both continents expanded procurement amid a renewed arms race.
- U.S. defense out fell as Ukraine aid was frozen, marking a rare decline in its spending.
Why it matters: Defense firms win as global spending jumps 2.9%, with India’s $92 bn budget cementing its new status, while taxpayers in the U.S. face reduced aid for Ukraine, risking a weaker deterrence.
