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.

30. Thailand

- Military expenditure (2017): $6.3 billion
- Military expenditure as a % of general government expenditure (2017): 1.0% (#142 among countries)
- Military expenditure per capita (2017): $092 (#42 among countries)
Thailand is “the world's last military dictatorship,” by the most strict definition of the word. Military juntas have consolidated power and coups happen semi-regularly, usually spiking defense spending each time. The junta refused to slash defense spending in the most recent budget proposal, voicing fears that the Thai military would be left unable to modernize or otherwise quell the internal protests and insurgent groups within its borders.