Most nations in Europe have increased their military spending. (Photo: Finnish army)
A perceived threat from Russia has triggered a central European dash towards military spending.
Figures presented on Monday (24 April) by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) show military expenditures in Central Europe grew by 2.4 percent in 2016.
Sipri researcher Siemon Wezeman in a statement said that the growth spurt can be attributed, in part, to the perception of Russia posing a greater threat following the country’s annexation of Crimea in Ukraine.
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Latvia registered the biggest increase in military spending ($407 million) with a 44 percent jump from 2015 to 2016, followed by Lithuania at 35 percent ($636 million).
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Spending increases from 2015 to 2016 were also noted in all but three nations in western Europe – Belgium, and non-Nato countries Ireland and Sweden. Overall military expenditures in this same region rose by 2.6 percent.
Italy registered the biggest defence spending spike in western Europe, with an 11 percent increase between 2015 and 2016. The spike partly reflects Italy’s support for its local arms industry.
Full article: Russia threat triggers European military spending hike (euobserver)
Global Geopolitics 