Scramble to build Europe’ s defences Defence spending in Central and Western Europe rose 13 percent in 2022 to $345 billion, driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increased tensions over Taiwan and North Korea, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Military spending (US$bn, at constant 2021 prices) 0.0% Increase since 2000 U.S. China Russia UK Germany France South Korea Italy Spain Netherlands Oct 12, 2000: Bombing of USS Cole off Yemen coast kills 17 and wounds 39 Sep 11, 2001: Hijacked planes crash into U.S. World Trade Center and Pentagon, nearly 3,000 people killed 2001-14: U.S.-led war in Afghanistan in response to 9/11 attacks 2003-11: U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Over 4,700 U.S. and allied troops and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians killed 2011-present: Libya and Syria conflicts 2014-present: Russia annexes Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Y emen conflict. Global coalition to defeat ISIS 2021-present: Border conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for control of Nagorno-Karabakh Feb 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine 15.7 134.2% 21.0 109.4% 34.6 103.6% 49.6 237.3% 57.0 116.1% 57.8 122.5% 70.0 131.3% 72.0 426.0% 298.0 707.8% 811.6 167.4 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2022 South Korea: Deal in 2022 worth $13.7 billion to supply Poland with tanks, artillery and jets. Also shipping increased amounts of weaponry to Taiwan. South Korea is world’s fastest-growing arms exporter UK: Britain doubles its arms exports in 2022 to record £8.5 billion ($10.5bn), dominated by sales to Qatar – £2.4bn ($3.0bn) worth of Eurofighter Typhoons – Saudi Arabia, U.S., and Turkey Sweden: Deal with Ukraine to jointly produce 1,000 CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles, manufactured by BAE Systems. Britain’s BAE, Germany’s Rheinmetal and Finland’s Patria to build factories in Ukraine Russia: Defence exports fall 21% in 2022 to $2.82bn, following Ukraine invasion. 91% of its exports flow to just four countries – India ($1.34bn), China ($772m), Myanmar ($276m), and Belarus ($225m) CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle Length: 6.47m Width: 3.19m Height: 2.5m Capacity: 3 crew plus 8 infantry troops Armament: 40mm cannon, 7.62mm twin machine guns Top speed: 70km/h Range: 500km Sources: BEA Systems, Foreign Policy, Reuters, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute © GRAPHIC NEWS