US Military Expenditure

 

The United States is the world's largest military spender, accounting for about a third of the total global military expenditure. In 2019, the US spent more than $750 billion on its military, an increase of nearly 3% from 2018. This spending includes the Department of Defense (DoD) budget, as well as the budgets of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies that support national defense activities.

History of US Military Expenditure

The history of US military expenditure goes back to the end of World War II, when the US was the only superpower. During the Cold War, the US was determined to maintain a strong military presence around the world to deter the Soviet Union. As a result, military spending increased significantly. From 1950 to 1985, the US defense budget increased from $13 billion to $292 billion.

The end of the Cold War saw a dramatic reduction in military spending, with the defense budget falling from $290 billion in 1985 to $249 billion in 1995. However, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 led to a surge in military spending, as the US engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. From 2001 to 2009, the defense budget nearly doubled, reaching a peak of $598 billion in 2009.

Since then, military spending has declined slightly, settling at around $750 billion in 2019.

Breakdown of US Military Expenditure

The US military spends its budget in a variety of ways, including personnel costs, operations and maintenance, research and development, and procurement.

The largest portion of the budget is spent on personnel costs, which include salaries, benefits, and health care for active duty military personnel and veterans. In 2019, personnel costs accounted for nearly half of the DoD budget, or $364 billion.

Operations and maintenance (O&M) is the second-largest expense, accounting for $212 billion of the DoD budget in 2019. This includes the costs of training and equipping troops, as well as the costs of fuel and spare parts.

Research and development (R&D) makes up the third-largest portion of the budget, accounting for $90 billion in 2019. This includes the costs of developing new weapons and technologies.

Finally, procurement accounts for the remaining $84 billion of the DoD budget. This includes the costs of buying new weapons and equipment.

Impact of US Military Expenditure

The US military budget has a significant impact on the US economy. The US defense industry is one of the largest employers in the country, employing over 3.2 million people in 2019. This includes both civilian and military personnel.

In addition, military spending has a significant impact on the US economy as a whole. According to the DoD, military spending accounted for 3.2% of US GDP in 2019. This spending stimulates economic growth and creates jobs in the private sector.

Finally, US military spending has a significant impact on the global economy. The US is the world's largest exporter of military goods and services, accounting for nearly 40% of all global military exports in 2018. This military spending helps to create jobs and economic growth in countries around the world.

Conclusion

The US is the world's largest military spender, accounting for about a third of the total global military expenditure. In 2019, the US spent more than $750 billion on its military, an increase of nearly 3% from 2018. This spending includes the Department of Defense (DoD) budget, as well as the budgets of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies that support national defense activities.

The largest portion of the budget is spent on personnel costs, followed by operations and maintenance, research and development, and procurement. The US defense industry is one of the largest employers in the country, and military spending has a significant impact on the US and global economies.