2024-02-14 17:31:38
Ongoing conflicts, notably the war in Ukraine, have driven up global defense spending. It is the International Institute for Strategic Studies based in London which says this in its latest report. Two hundred billion dollars were disbursed in 2023, an increase of 9% over one year.
Published on: 02/14/2024 – 6:31 p.m.
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The world has never spent so much money on arms as in 2023: 2,200 billion dollars (2,000 billion euros). China, Russia, India and NATO countries represent 70% of these sums, according to The report published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The institute expects a further increase in 2024. “ It will probably be a more dangerous decade », remark its experts.
The Russian invasion ofUkraine, the war in the Middle East and tensions around China have increased military spending. Just like the coups in Niger or Gabon.
The publication of the report comes a few days after Donald Trump called into question the principle of solidarity with NATO countries. He criticizes some of his members for not spending enough to arm themselves. Only ten countries of the 31 NATO members devote 2% of their GDP to defense, but 19 have significantly increased their spending. This is the case of Poland. In 2024, Donald Tusk’s government plans to devote a little more than $33 billion, or more than 4% of its GDP. A problem remains, however. Westerners are arming themselves too slowly while Beijing and Moscow devote nearly a third of their public spending to it.
Closing the Armament Gaps
The pace of ammunition consumption observed on the Ukrainian front showed the extent to which the West’s production capacities have deteriorated. Most states have realized that the gaps from years of underinvestment must be filled. However, the trend towards armament could continue while territorial claims multiply. Azerbaijan’s military offensive against Armenian separatists in the Haut-Karabakh in September 2023 is one example among many others.
The IISS also analyzes the intensifying tensions between the United States and China, particularly around Taiwan. It is a question of the technological capabilities of the Chinese armed forces, ultra-modern and in full expansion. “ Beijing is asserting itself more and more and showing it, and not only in its immediate neighborhood », Notes the report discussing the affair of the Chinese spy balloon shot down above the United States in February 2023. IISS experts also speak of Iran’s growing influence on different conflict zones. Two examples: missiles delivered by Tehran to the Yemeni Houthi rebels whose attacks in the Red Sea are disrupting world trade. And then, Iranian drones supplied to Russia which it uses in its war against Ukraine.
Faced with all these examples, the British institute advocates strengthened cooperation between democracies which share the same values with closer agreements on defense.
Also read: 18 out of 31 NATO countries will reach the military spending target in 2024
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