India Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1956–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$97.9 billion
Ranked #5 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
2.3%
Ranked #61 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $93.3B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$102.6 billion
Reached in 2027
India Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, India is estimated to have spent $97.9 billion on military and defense, representing 2.3% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. India is the #5 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $93.3 billion to $97.9 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 4.2% in 1987. The historical average military budget is 2.9% of GDP.
Data source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Values are in constant 2024 US dollars. Data for 2026 is an estimate based on government budget announcements.
Historical Military Spending
Military Spending (% of GDP)
Military Spending (USD Billions, 2024 prices)
Historical Data
| Year | Percent of GDP | USD (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027(estimate) | 2.30% | $102,580M |
| 2026(estimate) | 2.30% | $97,917M |
| 2025 | 2.30% | $93,255M |
| 2024 | 2.22% | $85,597M |
| 2023 | 2.36% | $85,233M |
| 2022 | 2.38% | $83,218M |
| 2021 | 2.47% | $79,701M |
| 2020 | 2.80% | $80,210M |
| 2019 | 2.55% | $79,726M |
| 2018 | 2.42% | $74,469M |
| 2017 | 2.53% | $71,936M |
| 2016 | 2.54% | $67,202M |
| 2015 | 2.46% | $60,982M |
| 2014 | 2.54% | $60,408M |
| 2013 | 2.55% | $57,602M |
| 2012 | 2.62% | $57,564M |
| 2011 | 2.70% | $57,857M |
| 2010 | 2.89% | $57,330M |
| 2009 | 3.13% | $57,101M |
| 2008 | 2.63% | $48,500M |
| 2007 | 2.48% | $42,759M |
| 2006 | 2.68% | $42,249M |
| 2005 | 2.91% | $41,909M |
| 2004 | 2.83% | $39,380M |
| 2003 | 2.68% | $33,902M |
| 2002 | 2.83% | $33,161M |
| 2001 | 2.92% | $33,264M |
| 2000 | 2.95% | $32,145M |
| 1999 | 2.96% | $31,152M |
| 1998 | 2.73% | $26,805M |
| 1997 | 2.65% | $25,692M |
| 1996 | 2.47% | $23,209M |
| 1995 | 2.58% | $22,796M |
| 1994 | 2.66% | $22,133M |
| 1993 | 2.82% | $22,034M |
| 1992 | 2.70% | $19,509M |
| 1991 | 2.91% | $20,413M |
| 1990 | 3.15% | $21,862M |
| 1989 | 3.53% | $22,195M |
| 1988 | 3.73% | $21,063M |
| 1987 | 4.23% | $20,570M |
| 1986 | 4.11% | $19,096M |
| 1985 | 3.57% | $16,154M |
| 1984 | 3.42% | $14,401M |
| 1983 | 3.32% | $13,614M |
| 1982 | 3.35% | $13,155M |
| 1981 | 3.19% | $12,124M |
| 1980 | 3.13% | $11,484M |
| 1979 | 3.26% | $11,190M |
| 1978 | 3.13% | $10,385M |
| 1977 | 3.16% | $9,931M |
| 1976 | 3.48% | $10,452M |
| 1975 | 3.53% | $9,103M |
| 1974 | 3.20% | $8,111M |
| 1973 | 3.16% | $8,709M |
| 1972 | 3.72% | $9,861M |
| 1971 | 3.65% | $9,353M |
| 1970 | 3.19% | $7,844M |
| 1969 | 3.14% | $7,607M |
| 1968 | 3.25% | $7,178M |
| 1967 | 3.22% | $6,931M |
| 1966 | 3.57% | $7,418M |
| 1965 | 3.87% | $7,878M |
| 1964 | 3.82% | $8,060M |
| 1963 | 4.03% | $8,257M |
| 1962 | 2.75% | $5,044M |
| 1961 | 2.07% | $3,669M |
| 1960 | 2.00% | $3,401M |
| 1959 | 2.14% | $3,369M |
| 1958 | 1.92% | $3,649M |
| 1957 | 2.48% | $3,643M |
| 1956 | 2.02% | $3,046M |