Graphic shows top military spenders in 2017.
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ARMAMENTS

Global military spending on the rise

By Jordi Bou

May 2, 2018 - Global military spending rose to $1.73 trillion in 2017, an increase of 1.1 percent on 2016 and the highest level since the Cold War.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, said China continued its upward trend that has lasted for more than two decades, Russian expenditure fell for the first time since 1998, and the United States' military spending remained constant for the second consecutive year.

India’s defence spending rose by 5.5 percent to $63.9 billion in 2017 and has now passed France to join the world’s top five military spenders.

The five biggest spenders in 2017 were the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and India, which together accounted for 60 per cent of the total.

China increased its military spending by 5.6 percent to $228 billion in 2017. Its share of global military expenditure has risen from 5.8 percent in 2008 to 13 percent in 2017.

Russia, at $66.3 billion, made the largest decrease, down 20 percent on 2016.

Because of what is perceived as a growing threat from Russia, military spending in Europe increased in 2017.

SIPRI is a Stockholm-based independent think tank, partly funded by the Swedish government. Created in 1966, its research is focused on global security, arms control and disarmament.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 02/05/2018; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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