SIPRI Report 2026: India becomes the 5th largest military spending country in the world, China and Pakistan also increased their strength.

News India Live, Digital Desk: In terms of global military expenditure, India has once again registered its strong position among the leading countries of the world. According to the latest report released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on 27 April 2026, India has now become the fifth largest military spender in the world. India’s military expenditure has increased by 8.9 percent to $ 92.1 billion (about ₹ 7.68 lakh crore) in the year 2025. Record jump in global military expenditure: crosses $ 2.89 trillion SIPRI report shows that the total military expenditure around the world in 2025 was $ 2,887 billion ($ 2.89 trillion), which is the highest level till date. This is the 11th consecutive year that the global defense budget has registered an increase. According to the report, the top-5 countries (USA, China, Russia, Germany and India) alone account for 58 percent of the world’s total military expenditure.Top-5 countries with military expenditure (2025): RankCountryMilitary expenditure (in billion dollars)Share of GDP (%)1America (USA)$954.03.1%2China (China)$336.01.7%3Russia (Russia)$190.07.5%4Germany (Germany)$114.02.3%5India (India)$92.12.3%India’s priority: ‘Operation Vermillion’ and modern weapons The main reason behind this increase in India’s defense budget is the ongoing tension with neighboring countries (China and Pakistan) and military modernization. Drones and Air Defence: After ‘Operation Vermillion’ and the security developments in 2025, India has planned to develop drones, counter-drone systems and advanced air defence. Emphasis has been laid on the purchase of defense platforms.Budget 2026-27: The Government of India has increased the defense budget for the upcoming financial year to ₹7.85 lakh crore, which includes a capital outlay of ₹2.19 lakh crore for the purchase of modern weapons.Condition of neighboring countries: Growing ambitions of China and PakistanChina: Remains the second largest military spender in the world. China has increased its expenditure by 7.4% to $336 billion. This is the 31st consecutive year of increase in China’s military expenditure. Pakistan: Pakistan’s military expenditure has also increased by 11% to $ 11.9 billion, placing it at 31st place in the global list. However, India’s defense budget is more than 7 times that of Pakistan. The changing equation of Europe and America. A shocking fact in the report is that America’s military expenditure has decreased by 7.5% in 2025, because during this period there was a decrease in new military aid given to Ukraine. However, a big jump is expected again in 2026 due to increasing tensions with Iran. At the same time, Europe has seen the fastest military spending (14% increase) since the Cold War due to the Russia-Ukraine war and NATO expansion. Germany has crossed the target of 2% GDP spending for the first time and reached fourth place.