“Some trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of the Lord.”
[Apr.26.2023] In a global village where security concerns have been heightened by the war between Russia and Ukraine, funds spent on military equipment and facilities have reached an all-time high.
According to the 2022 Trends in Global Military Expenditures report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on the 24th (local time), world military spending last year rose 3.7% from the previous year to $2.24 trillion (approximately 29 trillion won), which is the highest record ever. This is equivalent to 2.2% of the combined world gross domestic product (GDP).
Global military spending has increased every year for the last 8 years since 2015 and has increased by 19% in the last 10 years compared to 2013. SIPRI cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions in East Asia following the US-China rivalry as factors contributing to the increase in global spending.
“The continued increase in global military spending in recent years is a sign that we are living in an increasingly unstable world,” said Nantian, senior research fellow at the SIPRI Arms Expenditure and Arms Production Program.
Last year, the top country in military spending was the United States with $877 billion (about 1170 trillion won). China (estimated at $292 billion), Russia (estimated at $86.4 billion), India (estimated at $81.4 billion), and Saudi Arabia (estimated at $75 billion) formed the top 2-5 spots.
South Korea’s military spending fell 2.5% year-on-year, ending its 22nd consecutive year of real growth. The decrease in military spending is largely due to inflation. On a nominal basis, South Korea’s military budget increased by 2.9% compared to 2021.
Europe, which is geographically close to Russia and Ukraine and feels security concerns, has sharply increased its military spending. The European countries that increased their military spending the most sharply were Finland (up 36%), Lithuania (up 27%), Sweden (up 12%), and Poland (up 11%) which are neighbouring Russia.
Japan, which spent 1.1% of its GDP on arms last year, is expected to increase its military spending in the coming years, announcing last year’s plans to increase its military power over the next 10 years in response to growing threats from China, North Korea, and Russia (Source: Yonhap News Comprehensive).
The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalms 20:6-7)
God, as the world’s political landscape becomes more unstable, we witness that the nations are concentrating on strengthening national defence by increasing military spending. May You grace the nations to know You, the living God, so that they may rely on Your power not the weapons and military forces of this world. At a time like this, may You raise up churches awake and pray for the world where trust is broken, love is shattered, and treats each other as security-threatening enemies. Through the church, let the gospel of peace be constantly heard throughout the world, and let true peace come to the whole land through the cross of Christ.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
