Global defence spending hits record highs amid threats from Russia and beyond
European armies require sufficient stockpiles of spares, ammunition and logistics to meet NATO’s planning assumption. (Photo: British Army/Crown Copyright)
With the possibility of having to confront challenges without substantial US support looming, European nations have been compelled to reassess their defence strategies and prioritise investments to ensure collective security and resilience.
Global defence spending reached a record US$2.2 trillion in 2023, propelled by heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other conflicts across the globe, an annual assessment by a defence think tank found.
“Many governments are responding by focusing more on their defence needs, driven, in part, by the realisation that countries such as Russia will embrace the use of force to get their way,” said Dr Bastian Giegerich, director-general and chief executive of the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), during the opening statement at the launch of Military Balance 2024, the organisation’s annual global assessment of military
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)]()
Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)
Mike Moran, Director of US Government Business at Amazon Project Kuiper Government Solutions, highlighted the evolution of space as a critical warfighting domain at the Defence in Space Conference (DISC) 2025, held this week in London.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
