Modern-Aviation

10. Korea, Republic
- Military expenditure (2017): $39.2 billion
- Military expenditure as a % of general government expenditure (2017): 12.1% (#16 among countries)
- Military expenditure per capita (2017): $761 (#13 among countries)
Tensions between South Korea and its northern neighbor shaped much of the Republic's defense policy—and budget since the Korean Peninsula was divided at the end of the Korean War. A significant portion of the budget proposed in 2018 has been earmarked for efforts to increase cooperation between the two countries. President Moon Jae-in and North Korea's Kim Jong Un signed the Panmunjom Declaration after a summit in April last year and committed to halt in hostilities and denuclearization, though that goal remains elusive.

18. Iran, Islamic Rep.

- Military expenditure (2017): $14.5 billion
- Military expenditure as a % of general government expenditure (2017): 15.8% (#10 among countries)
- Military expenditure per capita (2017): $179 (#35 among countries)
Iran is a major player in the Middle East despite being outspent in defense by the countries it sees as its biggest threats, including the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia. To retain its influence in the region, it provides support to the Syrian military in the ongoing civil war there and backs groups that include the Houthi rebels currently fighting in Yemen. Sanctions from the U.S. and its allies, reimposed after America pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, have forced Iran to manufacture most of its weapons domestically.