India 4th largest military spender in 2023: SIPRI
- India’s Military Spending in 2023
- India spent $83.6 billion on military expenditure, making it the fourth-largest spender globally.
- This increase is due to rising personnel and operations costs, which make up about 80% of the total military budget.
- India’s military spending in 2023 was up 4.2% from 2022 and 44% from 2014.
- Top Global Military Spenders
- The United States, China, and Russia are the top three military spenders globally.
- Following them are India and Saudi Arabia.
- Factors Contributing to India’s Military Spending
- Increased spending aligns with the government’s goal to strengthen operational readiness amid tensions with China and Pakistan.
- Capital outlays for military procurement remained stable at about 22% of the budget, with 75% used for domestically produced equipment.
- The move towards domestic procurement reflects India’s aim for self-reliance in arms development and production.
- Global Military Spending in 2023
- The five biggest spenders in 2023—the United States, China, Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia—accounted for 61% of global military spending.
- The US spent $916 billion, and China’s spending was estimated at $296 billion.
- Russia’s military spending grew by 24% in 2023 to an estimated $109 billion.
- Ukraine became the eighth-largest military spender in 2023, with a 51% increase in spending.
