World's 10 Largest Military Powers

US leads the way, by a lot, with China No. 2
By Ashley Allen,  Newser User
Posted Apr 14, 2011 10:22 AM CDT Posted Apr 14, 2011 10:22 AM CDT
Promoted on Newser Apr 14, 2011 4:12 PM CDT
The Ten Largest Military Powers In The World
In this image made on Feb. 22, Marines patrol the main road in the Wishtan area of Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/ Sebastian Abbot)

In 2010, the countries of the world spent a combined $1.63 trillion on their militaries, according to 24/7 Wall Street. That includes money for weapons, soldiers, and maintaining infrastructure. The US led the way by far with just below $700 billion, more than the other top nine countries combined. Others in the top 10 list:

  • Italy (No. 10) $37 billion: Since 2001, military spending in the country has dropped 5.4%, the greatest decrease among all the countries featured on this list. The cutbacks are the result of Italy trying to tame its large debt.
  • India (No. 9) $41.3 billion: Although military spending decreased by $1 billion in 2010, it increased by 11.6% in February in response to China and Pakistan's strong programs.
Click for the full list, which has China at No. 2 with $119 billion in defense spending. (More US military stories.)

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