Russia's Military Spending Surpasses That of the Entire Europe
Economy
According to the findings of the "Military Balance" study conducted by the British International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Russia's military spending now exceeds the total defense expenditures of all European Union countries and the United Kingdom. This was reported by Financial Times.
The study states that in 2024, Russia’s total defense spending increased by 42%, reaching 13.1 trillion rubles, which is equivalent to $462 billion in purchasing power parity. According to the IISS forecast, in 2025, Russian military spending is expected to rise by 13.7%, reaching 15.6 trillion rubles ($550 billion). This would account for 7.5% of Russia’s GDP and nearly 40% of all federal expenditures, according to FT.
For comparison, Europe’s total defense budgets—including the United Kingdom and EU member states—increased by nearly 12% last year, reaching $457 billion. Specifically, Germany’s defense budget grew by 23%, reaching $86 billion (€83 billion). This made it the first time in 30 years that Germany’s defense spending surpassed that of the United Kingdom, which stood at $81 billion (€78 billion), the report highlights. The FT also notes that this statistic is largely due to one-time investments from a special fund for the modernization of the Bundeswehr.
Traditionally ranking second in Europe in absolute terms, France’s defense budget grew by 4.5% in 2024, reaching $64 billion (€62 billion). This represents 2% of the country’s GDP.
Among the European nations with the highest defense spending, Estonia, which borders Russia, allocated nearly 4% of its GDP to defense last year. Poland ranked second, spending 3.25% of its GDP. However, in absolute figures, the defense budgets of these countries are significantly lower than those of Europe's three largest economies, amounting to $1.7 billion and $28 billion, respectively.
For comparison, Europe’s total defense budgets—including the United Kingdom and EU member states—increased by nearly 12% last year, reaching $457 billion. Specifically, Germany’s defense budget grew by 23%, reaching $86 billion (€83 billion). This made it the first time in 30 years that Germany’s defense spending surpassed that of the United Kingdom, which stood at $81 billion (€78 billion), the report highlights. The FT also notes that this statistic is largely due to one-time investments from a special fund for the modernization of the Bundeswehr.
Traditionally ranking second in Europe in absolute terms, France’s defense budget grew by 4.5% in 2024, reaching $64 billion (€62 billion). This represents 2% of the country’s GDP.
Among the European nations with the highest defense spending, Estonia, which borders Russia, allocated nearly 4% of its GDP to defense last year. Poland ranked second, spending 3.25% of its GDP. However, in absolute figures, the defense budgets of these countries are significantly lower than those of Europe's three largest economies, amounting to $1.7 billion and $28 billion, respectively.
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