Asia and Middle East drive global defence spending rise
Emerging economies in the Middle East and Asia are boosting global defence spending for the first time since 2010, a study by a leading UK think tank has revealed.
In its annual assessment of military capabilities and defence budgets, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said global defence outlays had increased 1.7% in 2014.
The increase comes after three years of real reductions in military spending across the world. Instability in both regions has pushed governments to increase spending on military equipment.
The IISS said nominal defence spending in Asia had increased by more than a quarter since 2010
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