The increase marked the 11th consecutive annual rise in global defense spending and pushed military expenditure to 2.5% of global gross domestic product, the highest share since 2009, according to SIPRI.

The U.S., China and Russia remained the world’s three largest military spenders, accounting for a combined $1.48 trillion, or 51% of total global military expenditure.

U.S. military spending fell 7.5% to $954 billion in 2025, primarily because no new financial military assistance for Ukraine was approved after years of extensive wartime support following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.SIPRI said U.S. military funding for Ukraine totaled $127 billion over the previous three years.

“The decline in U.S. military expenditure in 2025 is likely to be short-lived,” the institute said, noting that spending approved by Congress for 2026 had already risen to more than $1 trillion and could climb further to $1.5 trillion in 2027.

Europe was the main driver of the increase in global military spending, with regional expenditure rising 14% to $864 billion as governments accelerated rearmament programs amid continued security concerns linked to the war in Ukraine and broader NATO defense commitments.

Spending by Russia and Ukraine continued to rise in the fourth year of the war, while NATO members in Central and Western Europe recorded the sharpest annual increase since the end of the Cold War, reflecting sustained efforts to strengthen deterrence and replenish military stockpiles.

SIPRI said the combination of immediate security crises and long-term military modernization plans suggested the upward trend would likely continue through 2026 and beyond.“Given the range of current crises, as well as many states’ long-term military spending targets, this growth will probably continue,” the report said.

In the Middle East, military expenditure showed mixed movement.Israel’s defense spending fell 4.9% to $48.3 billion as the war in Gaza eased in 2025, reducing the intensity of active operations compared with the previous year.Iran’s military spending declined for the second consecutive year, falling 5.6% to $7.4 billion, reflecting continued economic pressures and fiscal constraints.

The figures underscore how geopolitical tensions from Eastern Europe to the Middle East continue to shape defense budgets even as shifts in U.S. policy alter the pace and distribution of military support among allies.

“We will EXTEND the A-10 ‘Warthog’ platform to 2030,” Meink wrote on social media, adding the decision would help preserve combat capability while the defense industrial base ramps up aircraft production.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, first introduced in 1976, had been scheduled for retirement by 2026. The aircraft has been actively deployed in recent operations involving Iran, with U.S. Central Command indicating its use against maritime targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

Long valued for its durability and powerful nose-mounted cannon designed for close air support, the A-10 has remained central to operations supporting ground troops. However, Air Force officials have repeatedly argued the platform is increasingly costly to maintain and less suited to modern warfare compared with newer systems.

Debate over the aircraft’s future has persisted for more than two decades, with proponents in Congress warning that retiring the fleet without a direct replacement could leave a critical gap in battlefield support. In 2021, Mark Kelly successfully pushed to block earlier retirement plans through defense legislation, citing the need to sustain the capability.

The largest share of the A-10 fleet is based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where the aircraft contributes significantly to the local economy and employment.

While extending the platform ensures continued availability in current operations, Air Force officials have cautioned that maintaining the aging fleet places additional strain on maintenance resources needed for next-generation aircraft development.

The latest move underscores a continued balancing act between modernization priorities and immediate operational requirements.

As neighbouring countries with growing strategic importance, their military capacities offer insight into the region’s evolving security landscape and the shared responsibility both nations hold in maintaining long-term peace.

Both countries have invested steadily in defense modernization, reflecting a common interest in stability, development, and cooperation.

While their military structures differ in size and technological reach, the overarching trajectory for both is toward building capable, flexible forces ready to respond to regional humanitarian needs, disaster relief efforts, and cooperative security missions.

Cambodia’s modern armed forces were developed in 1993 through the merging of former military and resistance groups into a unified national defense structure.

With a defense budget surpassing $1 billion and over 120,000 active personnel, Cambodia continues to emphasize organization, restructuring, and steady modernization, aligning its security goals with national development priorities.

The Cambodian army forms the backbone of its military strength, with around 75,000 troops supported by more than 200 battle tanks and hundreds of artillery systems.

This structure allows Cambodia to focus on territorial protection, border security, and peacekeeping contributions that highlight its commitment to responsible international engagement.

Backed by a smaller but evolving air wing, Cambodia’s air force includes transport aircraft, multi-role helicopters, and both Soviet-era and Chinese-made platforms.

Though it does not operate fighter jets, it compensates through adaptable aviation support capable of assisting humanitarian missions and rapid-response operations.

The Royal Cambodian Navy further supports national defense with coastal and patrol vessels, enabling effective maritime security, anti-smuggling operations, and riverine protection—key priorities for a country whose waterways remain essential for trade and mobility.

Thailand’s military, significantly larger and more established, plays a prominent role not only within national borders but also in broader regional mechanisms.

With a defense budget above $5 billion and an active force of more than 360,000 personnel, Thailand’s military infrastructure reflects decades of modernization and strategic partnerships.

The Thai army, with approximately 245,000 personnel, remains one of the most capable ground forces in Southeast Asia.

Supported by hundreds of battle tanks, thousands of armored vehicles, and extensive artillery systems, Thailand’s land forces are structured for both national defense and international coordination efforts.

Thailand’s air force stands as one of the strongest in the region, operating advanced fighter aircraft including F-16s and Gripens, alongside a large fleet of helicopters and UAV systems.

Its focus on training, technology, and interoperability has enabled participation in multinational exercises and humanitarian missions that reinforce regional trust.

The Royal Thai Navy adds substantial maritime capability, operating modern frigates, patrol vessels, amphibious ships, and the country’s unique aircraft carrier.

With naval aviation and maritime infantry integrated into its structure, Thailand maintains versatile sea-based and coastal operational strengths that support disaster relief, search-and-rescue efforts, and maritime safety.

While differences in size and capability exist, Cambodia and Thailand share a mutual interest in peaceful borders, economic progress, and cooperative regional security.

Their military capacities, when viewed positively, highlight complementary strengths that—through dialogue, diplomacy, and coordinated regional frameworks—can contribute to long-term Southeast Asian stability.

As both nations continue to develop their defense sectors, opportunities for joint exercises, humanitarian missions, confidence-building measures, and diplomatic engagement remain essential.

Their shared commitment to stability forms the foundation for constructive relations that support prosperity across the broader ASEAN community.