World military expenditure reached $2887 billion in 2025, an increase of 2.9 per cent in real terms over 2024. Military spending declined in the United States but rose by 14 per cent in Europe and by 8.1 per cent in Asia and Oceania.
As the Russia–Ukraine War enters its fifth year, with few signs of an ending, SIPRI has published a new paper that provides unique insights into Russia's military spending and budget for 2026.
The volume of major arms transferred between states increased by 9.2 per cent between 2016–20 and 2021–25. States in Europe more than trebled their arms imports, making it the biggest recipient region.
Revenues from sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest arms-producing companies rose by 5.9 per cent in 2024, reaching a record $679 billion. The increase came as demand was boosted by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, global and regional geopolitical tensions, and ever-higher military expenditure.
SIPRI hosted two workshops as part of the project ‘Empowering Journalism Transparency in Defence Spending and Arms Procurement in the Western Balkans’, funded by the Swedish Institute.
The United Nations Secretary-General today released a new report warning of the dangers of rising military spending. The report, ‘The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future’, draws extensively on SIPRI data and analysis to highlight the global implications of rising military expenditure.
SIPRI and its partners hosted the Armament and Disarmament Summer School, an annual initiative that provides an important learning and networking space for early-career professionals working in disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.
World military expenditure reached $2718 billion in 2024, an increase of 9.4 per cent in real terms from 2023 and the steepest year-on-year rise since at least the end of the cold war.
Ukraine became the world’s largest importer of major arms in the period 2020–24, with its imports increasing nearly 100 times over compared with 2015–19.
Revenues from sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest companies in the industry reached $632 billion in 2023, a real-terms increase of 4.2 per cent compared with 2022.
On 8–9 September, SIPRI and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) co-hosted a workshop on the theme ‘Asia and the Middle East Beyond Energy: Towards Security and Defense Cooperation’.
(Stockholm, 22 April 2024) Total global military expenditure reached $2443 billion in 2023, an increase of 6.8 per cent in real terms from 2022. This was the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009.
(Stockholm, 11 March 2024) States in Europe almost doubled their imports of major arms (+94 per cent) between 2014–18 and 2019–23. Far larger volumes of arms flowed to Asia and Oceania and the Middle East in 2019–23, where nine of the 10 largest arms importers are. The United States increased its arms exports by 17 per cent between 2014–18 and 2019–23, while Russia’s arms exports halved. Russia was for the first time the third largest arms exporter, falling just behind France.
(Stockholm, 13 December 2023) Russia’s military and war-related spending is set to rise sharply in 2024 under new federal budget plans for 2024–26 signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on 27 November.
Revenues from sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest companies in the industry totalled $597 billion in 2022, 3.5 per cent less than 2021 in real terms, even as demand rose sharply.
(Stockholm, 24 April 2023) Total global military expenditure increased by 3.7 per cent in real terms in 2022, to reach a new high of $2240 billion. Military expenditure in Europe saw its steepest year-on-year increase in at least 30 years.
SIPRI and the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament at Uppsala University are pleased to host the 2023 Armament and Disarmament Summer School on 21–25 August 2023. The 2023 summer school will be held in cooperation with the Odesa Center for Nonproliferation.
SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) are pleased to host a second installment of the intensive introductory course on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), mechanisms to control their further spread and pathways to disarmament. The course will take place on 2–5 May 2023 online.
(Stockholm, 13 March 2023) Imports of major arms by European states increased by 47 per cent between 2013–17 and 2018–22, while the global level of international arms transfers decreased by 5.1 per cent. Arms imports fell overall in Africa (–40 per cent), the Americas (–21 per cent), Asia and Oceania (–7.5 per cent) and the Middle East (–8.8 per cent)—but imports to East Asia and certain states in other areas of high geopolitical tension rose sharply.
On 15 February, Giovanna Maletta, Acting Director of the Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme, participated in a meeting of the Arms Trade Treaty’s Working Group on Effective Treaty Implementation.
On 29 November, Giovanna Maletta, Senior Researcher with the Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme, and Dr Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, Director and Senior Researcher with the Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, participated in a public hearing of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence. The hearing was entitled ‘The War in Ukraine: Implications for Arms Export Policies at the EU Level’.
(Stockholm, 5 December 2022) Sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest companies in the industry reached $592 billion in 2021, a 1.9 per cent increase compared with 2020 in real terms. This is according to new data released today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
On 28 August–2 September, SIPRI and the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament at Uppsala University, in cooperation with the Odessa Center for Nonproliferation (ODCNP), hosted the 2022 Armament and Disarmament Summer School.
(Stockholm, 25 April 2022) Total global military expenditure increased by 0.7 per cent in real terms in 2021, to reach $2113 billion. The five largest spenders in 2021 were the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom and Russia, together accounting for 62 per cent of expenditure, according to new data on global military spending published today by the SIPRI.
(Stockholm, 14 March 2022) International transfers of major arms saw a slight drop between 2012–16 and 2017–21 (–4.6 per cent). Nevertheless, exports by the United States and France increased substantially, as did imports to states in Europe (+19 per cent), East Asia (+20 per cent) and Oceania (+59 per cent), according to new data on global arms transfers published today by SIPRI.
(Stockholm, 6 December 2021) Sales of arms and military services by the industry’s 100 largest companies totalled $531 billion in 2020—an increase of 1.3 per cent in real terms compared with the previous year. This is according to new data released today by the SIPRI.
Total global military expenditure rose to $1981 billion last year, an increase of 2.6 per cent in real terms from 2019, according to new data published today by SIPRI.
On 16 March, SIPRI experts gave evidence to the British Parliament Committees on Arms Export Controls as part of the committee’s inquiry into UK arms exports in 2019. The oral evidence session was held virtually.
International transfers of major arms stayed at the same level between 2011–15 and 2016–20, according to new data on global arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Sales of arms and military services by the sector’s largest 25 companies totalled US$361 billion in 2019, 8.5 per cent more than in 2018. The largest companies have a geographically diverse international presence. This is according to new data released today by SIPRI.
As part of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), SIPRI played an active role during its ninth consultative meeting, held virtually on 10–11 September.
On 28 April, in partnership with the Stimson Center, SIPRI held a webinar presenting and analysing the latest trends in global arms transfers and military expenditure.
Total global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019. The total for 2019 represents an increase of 3.6 per cent from 2018 and the largest annual growth in spending since 2010. The five largest spenders in 2019, which accounted for 62 per cent of expenditure, were the United States, China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
International transfers of major arms during the five-year period 2015–19 increased by 5.5 per cent compared with 2010–14. According to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the largest exporters of arms during the past five years were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China.
New research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) suggests that China is the second-largest arms producer in the world, behind the United States but ahead of Russia.
Sales of arms and military services by the sector’s largest 100 companies (excluding those in China) totalled $420 billion in 2018, marking an increase of 4.6 per cent compared with the previous year. This is according to new data released today by SIPRI in the SIPRI Top 100 ranking.
On 6 May, in partnership with the Stimson Center, SIPRI held an event presenting and analysing the latest trends in global arms transfers and military expenditure.
(Stockholm, 29 April 2019) Total world military expenditure rose to $1822 billion in 2018, representing an increase of 2.6 per cent from 2017, according to new data from SIPRI.
(Stockholm, 11 March 2019) The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014–18 was 7.8 per cent higher than in 2009–13 and 23 per cent higher than in 2004–2008, according to new data on arms transfers published today by SIPRI.
SIPRI, in partnership with the Centre for Arab Unity Studies (CAUS) and the Swedish Institute Alexandria, launched the Arabic translation of SIPRI Yearbook 2018.
Sales of arms and military services by the world’s largest arms-producing and military services companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $398.2 billion in 2017, according to new international arms industry data released today by SIPRI.
The level of transparency in military spending in sub-Saharan Africa is greater than previously thought, according to a new report from SIPRI.
Total world military expenditure rose to $1739 billion in 2017, a marginal increase of 1.1 per cent in real terms from 2016, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Continuing the upward trend that began in the early 2000s, the volume of international transfers of major weapons in 2013-17 was 10 per cent higher than in 2008-12, according to new data on arms transfers published by SIPRI today.
Dan Smith, SIPRI Director, attended the World Economic Forum in Davos (23–26 January) to present SIPRI's data and analysis on arms transfers and military expenditure.
Sales of arms and military services by the world’s largest arms-producing and military services companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $374.8 billion in 2016, according to new international arms industry data released today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Dr Sibylle Bauer, Director of SIPRI’s Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme, was the main speaker at a European Parliament workshop for the Sub-Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE).
SIPRI hosted an event on the global arms trade and the role that transparency instruments can play in stopping illegal and irresponsible arms transfers.
Total world military expenditure rose to $1686 billion in 2016, an increase of 0.4 per cent in real terms from 2015, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
SIPRI’s Hugh Griffiths continues to contribute to the New York-based United Nations Panel of Experts monitoring sanctions on North Korea.
The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and increased by 8.4 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16, according to new data on arms transfers published today by SIPRI.
Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing and military services companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $370.7 billion in 2015 according to new data on the international arms industry released today by SIPRI.
SIPRI is proud to announce the online release of its extended military expenditure data, with data going back as far as 1949 for some countries.
A new report by SIPRI for the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) highlights the 'huge overall level of government support, protection and direct and indirect subsidy that the arms industry as a whole receives.'
A ‘beta’ version of SIPRI's extended military expenditure dataset is now available, with data going back as far as 1949 for some countries.
Dr Aude Fleurant presented SIPRI’s data on military expenditure in 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters in the United States.
World military expenditure totalled almost $1.7 trillion in 2015, an increase of 1 per cent in real terms from 2014, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The data is being released to coincide with the start of the Stockholm Forum on Security and Development. The comprehensive annual update of the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database is accessible from today.
The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and rose by 14 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15, according to new data on international arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $401 billion in 2014 according to new international arms industry data launched today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The United States has taken a firm lead as the major arms exporter globally, according to new data on international arms transfers published today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 16 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14.
Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $402 billion in 2013 according to new data on international arms production launched today by SIPRI.
India’s arms imports are now almost 3 times as high as those of the second and third largest arms importers—China and Pakistan—according to new data on international arms transfers published today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 14 per cent between 2004–08 and 2009–13.
World military expenditure totalled $1.75 trillion in 2012, a fall of 0.5 per cent in real terms since 2011, according to figures released today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).*
Compared to the companies in the Top 100 for 2010, this result represents a 5 per cent decrease in constant dollar terms. Over the period since 2002, arms sales by the Top 100 have nevertheless increased by 51 per cent in real terms.
Off-budget spending and secrecy are limiting the democratic accountability of the military sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. This comes at a time when military spending is rising rapidly in the region. Nevertheless, transparency is improving and the increased military spending has not had an impact on health and education budgets, according to two new reports released by SIPRI today.
On 3 September 2021, SIPRI will host a virtual side event in the framework of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Seventh Conference of States Parties (CSP7) and in connection with the launch of a series of SIPRI papers taking stock of the ATT.
SIPRI to co-host an event in Washington, DC, on February 28 based on the recent SIPRI data launch on trends in international arms transfers.
SIPRI and UNIDIR will host an online webinar to showcase SIPRI's newest data and discuss the latest trends in global military spending.
SIPRI and the Stimson Center will host a virtual event discussing the latest trends in international arms transfers.
SIPRI and the Stimson Center will host a virtual event presenting and analysing the latest trends in global arms transfers and military expenditure.
On 12 March, SIPRI and the Stimson Center hosted a virtual discussion to mark the launch of SIPRI's new data on global arms transfers.
SIPRI and the Stimson Center hosted a virtual event to discuss recent trends in international arms transfers and their implications.