Total global military expenditure rose to over $1.8 trillion in 2018, an increase of 2.6 percent over the previous year, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The five biggest spenders were the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, India and France, which together accounted for 60% of total military spending.
Notably, the US increased its military spending for the first time since 2010, while China’s grew for the 24th consecutive year.
And there were many interesting findings regarding the Middle East, as Pieter D. Wezeman, a senior researcher in the Arms Transfers and Military Expenditure Program at SIPRI, explained to The Media Line.
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