Global military spending reached almost $1.7 trillion in 2015, marking a year-on-year increase for the first time since 2011, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks arms expenditure around the world.

The United States remained far and away the top spender, which despite a dip from 2014, accounted for more than a third of total global spending. It was followed by China and then, perhaps surprisingly, Saudi Arabia, which supplanted Russia in third place. (The figure for China in the chart below is based on a SIPRI estimate.)

Part of this splurge can be attributed to Saudi Arabia's entanglement in a costly war in Yemen, which has raged for more than a year now. Since 2006, Saudi annual military spending has nearly doubled. That figure is roughly the same, too, for Russia.

But, as SIPRI's report notes, the drop in oil prices worldwide has otherwise had huge effects on arms sales in general.

"Saudi Arabia overtook Russia to become the third-largest spender, mainly due to the fall in the value of the rouble," it noted. The two most dramatic dips in military expenditure were in Venezuela, where it decreased by 64 percent, and Angola, whose spending dropped by more than 40 percent. Both countries' economies are dependent on oil exports.

Meanwhile, Asia's militarization proceeded apace — spending in the region rose 5.4 percent in 2015, largely as a consequence of China's ongoing build-up and the increased wariness of neighbors, such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
"Military spending in 2015 presents contrasting trends," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, head of SIPRI’s military expenditure project, in a statement. "On the one hand, spending trends reflect the escalating conflict and tension in many parts of the world; on the other hand, they show a clear break from the oil-fueled surge in military spending of the past decade. This volatile economic and political situation creates an uncertain picture for the years to come."
[img]https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://img.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/files/2016/04/SIPRIspending20151-1014x1024.jpg&w=1484[/img]
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/04/05/saudi-arabia-passes-russia-as-worlds-third-biggest-military-spender/?hl=1&noRedirect=1

CC: Missy89, nairaminted, Appleyard, Valeriansteel e.t.c

CC: Missy89, nairaminted, Appleyard, Valeriansteel e.t.c
CC: Obinoscopy, lalaticlala

Somehow they still can't outmatch Israeli Qualitative Military Edge

I'm rather skeptical about Saudi Arabia becoming the 3rd major military spender.

I think the quagmire the house of Saud has placed itself in Yemen, plus it's commitment in Syria, has much to do with this current position. Not withstanding, comperatively, the Saudis have been top spenders. Before now, they have already outspent the likes of France, Britain, etc. Thus, isn't much of a surprise. But come to think of it: what have they really achieved with such spendings? Just consider the Yemen campaign. Be that as it may, they are where they are now, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Well, military expenditure or budget does not necessarily translate into an effective military strength.

Mother Russia is a living example when juxtaposed with your overrated Amerika.

People shouldn't get carried away by an overblown (& possibly padded) military budget as this doesn't necessarily translate to an efficient or proficient fighting force. This fact has been laid bare with Saudi Arabia's faltering campaign in Yemen where despite the seemingly overwhelming advantage in weaponry, the Yemeni army and the Houthis are killing off the Saudis in some cases, scores at a time.

Another great example is Russia's intervention in Syria where despite a military budget that is one-tenth of the Hegemon's, has in 6 months achieved far more than the Hegemon has in 1.6 months. Russia has demonstrated a great deal of ingenuity and resourcefulness such as in the case of fitting Kalibr cruise missiles unto small corvette sized warships and using old generation - but yet reliable - workhorses such as the SU-24 in their bombing campaign. These are just few examples of how resorting to basic but yet proven methods in place of overhyped ( and over priced) Star War-esque systems such as the Yanks would rather jump unto, has worked in favour of the Russians.

As usual, cranks are trying to make this competition between Saudi , America and Russia

legendary obsession

What i find interesting however,

"Saudi Arabia overtook Russia to become the third-largest spender, mainly due to the fall in the value of the rouble"

Missy89:
As usual, cranks are trying to make this competition between Saudi , America and Russia

legendary obsession

What i find interesting however,

"Saudi Arabia overtook Russia to become the third-largest spender, mainly due to the fall in the value of the rouble"

Yet some people claim Russian economy is doing fine

ValerianSteel:
Yet some people claim Russian economy is doing fine

Russia economy is only doing fine in the heads of cranks.

have you read the SOP of the new National guard Putin created?. The details are chilling. More like a personal army that can operate with impunity.

Looks like he is preparing himself for a mass protest if things doesn't change soon. It will be headed by Viktor Zolotov. he was a bodyguard for Anatoly Sobchak who is sort of a mentor to Putin back in his Leningrad days. They have been tight since then

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/3f906d98-fc14-11e5-b3f6-11d5706b613b.html#axzz456WCu57X

Russia blogs explains it better.