United Arab Emirates Military Spending
United Arab Emirates spends an estimated 4.8% of GDP on its military in 2026; its most recent reported expenditure in US dollars is $27.8 billion (2014).
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1997–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$27.8 billion
Percent of GDP
4.8%
Ranked #12 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Historical Peak Spending
$29.5 billion
Reached in 2013
How the 2026 figures are produced. The share-of-GDP figure is a per-country estimate researched from announced and enacted national defence budgets. Actual SIPRI figures for United Arab Emirates run to 2014.
United Arab Emirates Defense Budget Summary
United Arab Emirates spends an estimated 4.8% of GDP on its military in 2026; its most recent reported expenditure in US dollars is $27.8 billion (2014).
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 8.6% in 1998. The historical average military budget is 5.4% 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) | 4.80% | — |
| 2026(estimate) | 4.80% | — |
| 2014 | 5.64% | $27,808M |
| 2013 | 6.03% | $29,468M |
| 2012 | 5.08% | $24,056M |
| 2011 | 5.47% | $24,416M |
| 2010 | 6.04% | $22,476M |
| 2009 | 5.46% | $17,922M |
| 2008 | 3.67% | $15,223M |
| 2007 | 3.28% | $12,497M |
| 2006 | 3.23% | $11,761M |
| 2005 | 3.66% | $11,846M |
| 2004 | 4.61% | $12,985M |
| 2003 | 4.69% | $11,674M |
| 2002 | 4.88% | $11,047M |
| 2001 | 5.61% | $12,312M |
| 2000 | 8.32% | $12,827M |
| 1999 | 7.67% | $9,365M |
| 1998 | 8.63% | $9,059M |
| 1997 | 6.76% | $7,682M |