Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Turkey drive 9% increase in military spending in the Middle East

Military spending in the Middle East saw a significant increase of nearly 10% in 2023, driven by countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Turkey amid ongoing conflicts in the region. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), military expenditures in the Middle East reached around $200 billion last year, marking the largest annual increase in a decade.

Saudi Arabia, the fifth largest spender in the world, increased its military spending by 4.3% to $75.8 billion in 2023. The kingdom’s boost in spending was attributed to increased oil prices following the Ukraine war, which helped finance its military expenditures. Similarly, Israel’s military spending surged by 24% to $27.5 billion, mainly due to the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Turkey, the 22nd largest military spender globally, increased its military spending by 37% to $15.8 billion in 2023. The country is focused on advancing its defense industry, including projects like the national fighter jet program Kaan. Iran, the fourth biggest spender in the region, saw a modest increase of 0.6% in military spending, with a significant portion allocated to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In North Africa, Algeria emerged as the largest spender in 2023, with a 76% increase in military expenditures to $18.3 billion. The rise in Algerian spending was facilitated by a surge in revenue from gas exports to Europe, as the continent sought to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies.

The escalating military spending in the Middle East and North Africa reflects the region’s volatile security environment and ongoing conflicts, driving countries to invest heavily in defense capabilities to safeguard their interests and national security.