Suspense Crime | Digital Desk:
Following the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack, global attention on South Asia’s defense readiness has intensified.
A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals that India’s military expenditure for 2024 is projected at $86.1 billion, nearly nine times higher than Pakistan’s estimated $10 billion.

? India’s Defense Budget Highlights:

• Global Rank: 5th in military spending worldwide.
  
  

• Annual Growth: 1.6% rise from 2023.
  
  

• Focus: Border security, modernization, cyber warfare, and indigenous defense production.
  
  

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military spending remains significantly lower, reflecting economic constraints and differing security priorities.

? Global Military Spending Overview:

According to SIPRI’s "Trends in World Military Expenditure 2024" report:

• Global Total: $1.635 trillion.
  
  

• Top 5 Spenders (U.S., China, Russia, Germany, India): Account for 60% of global military spending.
  
  

China’s Military Spending:

• Increased by $300 million, reaching $314 billion.
  
  

• Continues a 30-year trend of annual growth, heavily investing in nuclear, cyber, and naval infrastructure.
  
  

Europe’s Military Surge:

• Total European military spending reached $693 billion (+17%), surpassing Cold War levels.
  
  

• Russia: Military spending surged 38% to $149 billion, now 7.1% of its GDP.
  
  

• Ukraine: Defense budget stands at $64.7 billion, about 34% of GDP — the highest military burden globally.
  
  

Germany and Poland:

• Germany: 28% rise to $88.5 billion, 4th largest globally.
  
  

• Poland: 31% rise to $38 billion, with defense making up 4.2% of GDP.
  
  

? SIPRI Expert Quote:

"Russia once again greatly increased its military expenditures, widening the spending gap with Ukraine,"
— Diego Lopes da Silva, SIPRI Senior Researcher