East Asia boosts defense spending amid China’s military buildup

SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.

Defense spending is rising across East Asia as China’s expanding military power fuels regional concerns, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The world’s five biggest military spenders, the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India made up 60% of total spending, combining for $1.64 trillion.

Spending in Asia and Oceania reached $629 billion in 2024, up 6.3% from 2023, with East Asia alone seeing a 7.8% jump to $433 billion.

China accounted for half of Asia’s total defense spending, with an estimated $314 billion, a 7% increase from 2023, and its largest annual rise since 2015. This marks the 30th consecutive year of growth, as China pushes to modernize its military across all domains by 2035.

China’s buildup has led neighboring countries to bolster their own defenses. Japan raised its defense budget by 21% to $55.3 billion, its biggest increase since 1952, lifting defense spending to 1.4% of GDP, the highest since 1958. Japan’s plan focuses on enhancing long-range strike and air defense capabilities through 2027.

Meanwhile, Taiwan boosted its military spending by 1.8% to $16.5 billion, allocating a significant portion to upgrade F-16 jets, purchase U.S. naval systems, and develop anti-drone technologies amid heightened tensions with China.

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