By Amira El-Fekki Newsweek World
The Middle East saw military spending growing rapidly in 2024, amid an unprecedented global rise, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report found that Saudi Arabia was the largest military spender in the region and Israel saw one of the highest increases in defense spending, while Iran's military spending dropped despite its continued regional involvement.
Why It Matters
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have intensified, with the region serving as a battleground for both direct and proxy conflicts. Israel faces growing threats from Hamas and Hezbollah, while Iran backs regional militias. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to strengthen its alliances while also carrying out strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The sharp rise in military spending, particularly in Israel and Saudi Arabia, marks a significant shift in regional defense priorities, as both countries are increasingly becoming major customers of American arms.
What To Know
SIPRI, the global security research think tank, reported that military spending surged globally, with the Middle East seeing particularly rapid growth, reaching an estimated $243 billion in 2024-up 15 percent from 2023 and 19 percent from 2015.
Saudi Arabia was the largest military spender in the Middle East in 2024 and the seventh largest globally, with spending rising to an estimated $80.3 billion. The oil-rich kingdom has significantly increased defense spending since 2015, largely driven by its military involvement in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, alongside investments in modernization and advanced weaponry, including recent arms deals with the U.S. to bolster its capabilities.
Data showed Israel's military spending surged to $46.5 billion in 2024, the steepest year-on-year rise since 1967, driven by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The initial budget was increased due to the Hezbollah conflict, a year after the Gaza war began in October 2023. Its military burden reached 8.8 percent of GDP, the second highest globally in 2024, behind Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's military spending rose to $635 million, as Iran-backed Hezbollah, engaged in war against Israel in the country's south.
At $7.9 billion, Iran's military spending in 2024 was 10 percent lower than in 2023 but the modest decrease reflects economic pressures and not a major shift in Iran's military priorities. Amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with the U.S., Iran is prioritizing the lifting of sanctions reinstated by President Donald Trump which have severely impacted its economy by targeting oil exports.
SIPRI's 2025 report shows the U.S. as the world's largest military spender in 2024 with $997 billion, accounting for 37 percent of global expenditure. European military spending rose to $693 billion, driven by the Ukraine war and broader geopolitical tensions.
What People Are Saying
Zubaida Karim, researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated: "Despite widespread expectations that many Middle Eastern countries would increase their military spending in 2024, major rises were limited to Israel and Lebanon. Elsewhere, countries either did not significantly increase spending in response to the war in Gaza or were prevented from doing so by economic constraints."
Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot readout: "On Feb. 24, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth received the Saudi Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness (HRH) Khalid bin Salman at the Pentagon, where he reaffirmed the critical defense partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
What Happens Next
With the U.S. committed to backing Israel's defense, Saudi Arabia is hoping to secure more arms deals during Trump's expected regional visit in May.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 8:19 AM.
