36 Percent... Increase in Military Spending in the Middle East Over the Past Decade
- Global military spending reaches an all-time high of $2.9 trillion in 2025... with the Middle East at $218 billion
- Global military spending continues to rise for the 11th consecutive year, up by 2.9 percent
- The Middle East faces new patterns of deterrence and proactive military doctrines
- Missiles and drones are evolving to execute precise strikes deep within enemy territory
- Cyber warfare and infrastructure targeting coincide with the integration of artificial intelligence
Dr. Karim Hajjaj, Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), announced that global military spending has continued to rise for the eleventh consecutive year, reaching approximately $2.9 trillion in 2025, equivalent to 2.5 percent of global GDP, marking an all-time high according to the institute’s estimates.
Hajjaj noted during the seminar “Arms and Security Trends in the Middle East,” held on Monday at the Kuwaiti Saud Al-Nasser Diplomatic Institute, attended by the institute’s director, Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajjari, and several heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country, that SIPRI data revealed global spending specifically reached $2.887 trillion, a 2.9 percent increase in real terms compared to 2024. He explained that the Middle East region also witnessed a steady increase in the quantity and quality of armaments, with military spending reaching approximately $218 billion in 2025, representing a 36 percent increase over the past decade.
Hajjaj stated that this increase reflects profound shifts in the international security and military landscape, amid the return of conventional wars between states, escalating security competition among major powers, and the development of arms and military technologies, coinciding with the erosion of several pillars of the international system related to arms control, non-proliferation, international law, and multilateralism.
He reviewed the key transformations in the international landscape and their implications for regional security, as well as rapid developments in technology and armaments and their repercussions on conflict trajectories and regional stability.
He clarified that the region is witnessing phenomena similar to those shaping the international system, most notably the return of armed conflicts between states, referring to the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States, after nearly three decades dominated by irregular warfare, whether in the form of civil wars or foreign interventions in such conflicts.
He added that the region is also seeing the emergence of new patterns of deterrence and proactive military doctrines, pointing out that one of the most prominent examples is the shift in Israeli military doctrine from a concept of deterrence to seeking the complete destruction of the enemy.
He highlighted transformations in military doctrines among several countries in the region, citing Iran, which, according to his presentation, has transitioned from a focus on defense to adopting offensive and proactive capabilities, considering this a significant shift in deterrence patterns and approaches to regional risks.
Hajjaj began his presentation by outlining developments in the international arms landscape, based on SIPRI observations, pointing out fundamental changes in strategic thinking related to security and arms issues.
He explained that the world is witnessing a growing return to conventional wars between technologically advanced states, citing the Russian-Ukrainian war, which he described as the largest conventional war in Europe since the end of World War II, alongside the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
He noted that these developments coincide with the escalation of US-led international coalitions, whether through collective alliances represented by NATO or bilateral alliances with several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Hajaj emphasized that technological advancement has become a key factor in current shifts in arms patterns, pointing to significant progress in the fields of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, which are now employed in multiple missions, including precision strikes targeting the depths of an adversary’s territory.
He also highlighted the evolution of cyber operations, including data system breaches, electronic warfare, and attacks on infrastructure, with a growing trend toward integrating artificial intelligence technologies into these operations.
He noted that outer space has likewise become an increasingly important domain for military operations, whether in surveillance, command and control, or missile defense systems, alongside the development of conventional weapons capabilities, with some approaching areas related to strategic nuclear arms management.
He pointed out that the coming phase requires seeking new opportunities to enhance cooperation among states and societies, and to mobilize available resources and capacities to achieve security and stability, within an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving regional and international environment.
The Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute signed a memorandum of understanding with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) to enhance and develop cooperation in the fields of peace and regional and international security studies, and to exchange expertise and scientific and research knowledge between the two parties.
Al-Hajjari stated that the signing of the memorandum comes at a time when there is a growing need for specialized knowledge to understand the rapid transformations in the regional and international security environments, emphasizing the Institute’s commitment to ensuring that the training of Kuwaiti diplomatic personnel is based on an accurate reading of international developments and robust cooperation channels with specialized international research centers.
He added that the partnership with SIPRI will provide a practical platform for exchanging expertise and developing programs and studies related to security, peace, and arms control issues, thereby contributing to supporting Kuwait’s diplomatic presence and enhancing its capacity to professionally handle contemporary international files and issues.
For his part, Hajaj expressed in a similar statement his appreciation for cooperation with the Saud Al-Nasser Institute, noting that Kuwait represents a reliable partner in supporting dialogue, respecting international law, and promoting approaches aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region.
