In 2024, India's defense spending reached a staggering $86.1 billion, nearly nine times more than Pakistan's $10.2 billion, according to a recent analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This disparity underscores the widening gap in military capabilities and resources between the two nations, further fueled by escalating regional tensions.
India's increased military expenditure, marking a 1.6% rise from 2023 and a substantial 42% surge since 2015, positions it as the fifth-largest military spender globally. This significant investment reflects India's commitment to modernizing its armed forces and reducing reliance on arms imports. The nation has made notable strides in domestic production, manufacturing armored vehicles, helicopters, and submarines. However, it still depends on imports for advanced systems like combat aircraft. The Indian government has implemented policies earmarking 75% of capital outlays for domestic military procurement, equivalent to 22% of total military spending.
Conversely, Pakistan's defense budget, though increased by 17.6% to PKR 2,122 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25, remains significantly lower in comparison. Despite being the second-largest increase in six years, it constitutes a smaller percentage of GDP compared to previous years. While employee-related expenses form the largest portion of Pakistan's defense budget, a considerable share is allocated to operating expenses, procurement of arms and ammunition, and civil works.
China's military expenditure in 2024 reached an estimated $314 billion, exceeding the combined spending of India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This figure underscores China's growing military prowess and its extensive investments in modernizing its armed forces, expanding cyber warfare capabilities, and strengthening its nuclear arsenal.
The global landscape of military spending has witnessed a dramatic surge, reaching $2,718 billion in 2024, representing a 9.4% increase from 2023. This is the steepest year-on-year rise since the end of the Cold War. The increase has been particularly rapid in Europe and the Middle East, driven by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The United States remains the top military spender, followed by China, Russia, Germany, and India, collectively accounting for 60% of global defense expenditure.
Amidst these trends, India's significantly higher defense spending compared to Pakistan reflects its strategic priorities, regional threat perceptions, and a determined push for military modernization and self-reliance. This disparity has implications for the regional power balance and the dynamics of India-Pakistan relations.
