Global defence spending surged to new heights in 2025, with nations investing billions to advance weapons, cyber defences, and overall military strength. Know which countries lead this defence race below.

6 countries with the largest defence budgets

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 13) addressed the nation after interacting with Indian armed forces personnel at the Adampur air base in Punjab. India news

India’s defence budget increases by 2.6 times in 12 years, climbs up to $79.8 billion in 2025-26: MoD

German lawmakers will vote Tuesday on a massive spending boost for defence and infrastructure proposed by chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz. Watch in for more details!

German parliament to vote on spending bill

The UK Defence Secretary has announced emergency cuts to the British military, including the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters. Watch this report for more details!

UK Government Announces £500 Million Defence Cuts

Iran's government has proposed to triple its military budget, its spokeswoman said Tuesday (Oct 29), as tensions with arch-rival Israel rise following recent tit-for-tat missile strikes.

Iran plans to triple military budget amid rising tensions with Israel

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the union budget 2024-25 on Tuesday (Jul 23), allocating INR 621,940 crore ($74.29 billion) to the defence sector.

Key highlights of India's defence budget: Highest allocation ever, 30% boost to BRO and more

The Norwegian Centre-left government says that it has planned a historic increase in defence spending of $56 billion in the next 12 years. Norway says that it is doing so to increase defence against Russia and other security challenges.

Norway to double Defence budget over next 12 years, plan to increase Naval fleet & Air defence

With war against Russia grinding on in its second year, Ukraine is planning a big rise in budget expenditure for defence. The government on Friday (September 15) approved a draft budget for the next year.

Ukraine plans major increase in defence spending in draft budget 2024

Pentagon leaders have defended the highest-ever military budget sighting China and other eventualities as a form of preparedness. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, made their case for higher military expenditure during their testimony.

US prepares for 'POSSIBLE WAR' with China, to get $842 bn Defence budget

Is China preparing for war? Beijing has increased its defence budget by 7.2% to $225 Billion. China's defence budget is now thrice that of India's. Is Beijing's spending aimed at invading Taiwan? Molly Gambhir rereports.

Gravitas | China increases defence budget: Is Beijing preparing for war?

The Ukraine war has prompted a boost in defence budget in major European countries. France, UK, Poland, Spain are spending billions to boost their military budget amid increasing threat of Russian aggression.

France surpass UK military despite spending less on defence budget

The defence budget was increased to Rs 5.94 lakh crore from last year's allocation of Rs 5.25 lakh crore in the Union Budget for 2023-24. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that a total of Rs 1.

Union Budget 2023: Rs 5.94 lakh crore allocated to the defence sector

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation, authorizing a record $858 billion in annual defense spending. More than $45 billion proposed by President Joe Biden, and rescinding the military's COVID vaccine mandate.

U.S. Senate approves $858 Billion Defence Act, sending bill to Biden

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida requires cabinet ministers to increase country's defence budget to around 2 per cent of GDP in the fiscal year of 2027.

Japan PM Fumio Kishida seeks to double the defence expenditure by 2% of GDP in fiscal 2027

Taiwan is ramping up its defence spending as tensions escalate with China. On Thursday, Taiwan proposed a new defence budget of $19 billion, it includes funding for new fighter jets and other equipment.

WION Dispatch: Taiwan ramps up its defence spending amid China tensions

As India's defences face multiple challenges across the country, India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Budget 2022 presentation in Parliament announced a plan to boost the defence sector.

India Union Budget 2022: Defence R&D to be opened up for startups

Taiwanese parliament on Tuesday cleared an extra defence funding bill of USD 8.6 billion in its latest attempt to boost its defence capabilities. This is likely to draw sharper reaction from China which has been viewed as being increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan.

Eye on China: Taiwan to spend extra USD 8.6 billion on defence

The Israel Defence Forces are seeking a massive hike in their budget to attack Iran's nuclear program. According to reports, Israel is preparing for a potential attack on Iranian nuclear sites and the government will seek to pass the budget in coming months.

IDF seeks hikes in defence budget to attack Iran's nuclear program

The Biden administration plans to request $715 billion for the Pentagon this coming year, a modest increase from the current level but below the level projected by the Trump administration in its final budget, according to three people familiar with the proposal.

US President proposes $715 billion for the Pentagon, a slight increase from last year

India has kept Rs 2031.93 Cr for international organizations under the budget for the financial year 2021-22 announced on Monday. The United Nations organization will get Rs 400 cr under the budget provision of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Budget 2021: India keeps over Rs 2000 cr for international organisations; BIMSTEC get Rs 25 cr, SAARC Rs 12 cr 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday allocated Rs 4.78 lakh crores for the defence ministry. The total amount includes capital expenditure worth Rs 1.

Highest in 15 years: Govt allocates Rs 4,78 lakh crore to the defence budget for 2021-22

Countries that are now pumping more money into their militaries than ever before!

India aspires to become a global power and for that, India must have a modern military force, among other things. India buys a bulk of its defence equipment and there is urgent need to make it domestically.

WION Edit: India's defence manufacturing gaps

Pakistan Army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, on Wednesday said that the voluntary decision to cut the annual increase in defence spending will not impact Pakistan's response to any potential threat.

Cut in annual defence budget won't impact our response to any threat: Pakistan Army chief Bajwa

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