US goes against the tide
Photo: Thanassis Stavrakis/AP/TT

US goes against the tide as global arms purchases increase in 2025

Europe's NATO countries are witnessing the largest arms buildup since the Cold War, according to figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showing continued increases in military spending worldwide. The United States fell back in 2025, but this is believed to be only temporary.

“Countries reacted to another year of war, uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval,” says researcher Xiao Liang in the SIPRI report.

In 2025, the world's military bill landed at $2,887 billion. That's equivalent to 27 trillion kronor - or 3 billion kronor every hour.

The U.S., China and Russia together account for more than half. However, the lack of military aid to Ukraine explains the decrease in U.S. spending. However, SIPRI says this is short-lived, as Congress this year approved at least $1 trillion (over 9,000 billion kronor).

Spending in Europe rose 14 percent - for Europe's NATO countries it amounted to $559 billion.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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