Top military spending countries 2026

Worldwide military expenditure climbed to nearly $2.9 trillion in 2026, with the United States, China and Russia accounting for more than half of all defense spending, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The United States remained the world's largest military spender, allocating approximately $954 billion to defense—about one-third of total global military expenditure. The figure exceeded the combined military budgets of the next three highest-spending countries.

China ranked second with an estimated $336 billion in military spending, continuing a long-term trend of defense modernization and military expansion. Russia followed in third place with expenditures reaching $190 billion.

Germany emerged as the world's fourth-largest military spender, investing $114 billion as European nations increased defense budgets amid ongoing security concerns linked to the war in Ukraine. India rounded out the top five with military spending of $92 billion.

Other major defense spenders included the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, France and Japan. Ukraine ranked seventh globally, dedicating roughly $84 billion to military needs as it continued to defend against Russian aggression.

Across Europe, countries such as Germany, Poland, France, Italy and Spain significantly boosted military budgets to strengthen readiness and modernize armed forces. Poland recorded one of the fastest growth rates in defense spending as it accelerated procurement and modernization programs.

In the Asia-Pacific region, rising geopolitical tensions continued to drive military investment. India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan and Singapore all increased defense expenditures in response to evolving regional security challenges.

Analysts say growing geopolitical competition, ongoing conflicts and military modernization programs are likely to keep global defense spending at historically elevated levels in the coming years. The latest figures highlight the concentration of military power among a relatively small group of nations, with the United States maintaining a substantial lead over all other countries.

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