New Delhi, April 28 — Amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, a new international report has raised concerns over the widening military imbalance between India and Pakistan.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2024 report titled “Trends in World Military Expenditure,” India’s military spending last year was nearly nine times greater than Pakistan’s.
The report, released Monday, placed India fifth among the world’s top military spenders with an expenditure of USD 86.1 billion, while Pakistan stood at 29th, with USD 10.2 billion spent on defence.
Pakistan’s defence budget amounts to just 11.84% of India’s, according to SIPRI.
“India’s military expenditure has surged by 42 per cent since 2015,” the report stated, noting the country’s efforts to reduce reliance on foreign arms imports.
SIPRI observed that India, traditionally one of the largest arms importers, has introduced policies directing 75% of capital outlays—roughly 22% of total military spending—toward domestic procurement.
“India is now able to produce armoured vehicles, helicopters and submarines,” the report said. “However, it remains reliant on imports for some more advanced systems, such as combat aircraft.”
The report also drew attention to China’s growing military dominance. In 2024, China’s defence expenditure reached USD 314 billion—exceeding the combined military budgets of India (USD 86.1 billion), Japan (USD 55.3 billion), South Korea (USD 47.6 billion), and Australia (USD 33.8 billion), which together totaled USD 222.8 billion.
China remains the world’s second-largest military spender, behind the United States, which led with a defence budget of USD 997 billion.
SIPRI noted that China’s military spending in 2024 represented its highest year-on-year percentage increase since 2015 and marked the 30th consecutive year of growth—the longest unbroken streak recorded in the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database.
Between 2015 and 2024, China’s defence budget rose by 59%, driven by its goal of modernising its military across all domains by 2035.
“China’s military build-up has influenced the military policies of its neighbours, prompting many of them to boost their own spending,” the report said.
In 2024, China unveiled several new capabilities, including improved stealth combat aircraft, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and uncrewed underwater vehicles.
The country also continued expanding its nuclear arsenal and took steps to strengthen its counterspace and cyberwarfare capabilities.
According to SIPRI, China established separate aerospace and cyberspace forces in 2024 as part of its broader military modernisation strategy.
