In five years, from 2020 to 2024, private firms received $2.4 trillion in contracts from the Pentagon, approximately 54% of the department\u2019s discretionary spending of $4.4 trillion over that period.<\/p>\n
During these five years, the U.S. government invested over twice as much money in five weapons companies as in diplomacy and international assistance. Between 2020 and 2024, $771 billion in Pentagon contracts went to just five firms: Lockheed Martin ($313 billion), RTX (formerly Raytheon, $145 billion), Boeing ($115 billion), General Dynamics ($116 billion), and Northrop Grumman ($81 billion). By comparison, the total diplomacy, development, and humanitarian aid budget, excluding military aid, was $356 billion.<\/p>\n
Annual U.S. military spending has grown significantly this century, as has the portion of the budget that goes to contractors: While 54% of the Pentagon\u2019s average annual spending has gone to military contractors since 2020, during the 1990s, only 41% went to contractors.<\/p>\n
U.S. military spending, including funding for the Pentagon and military activities funded by other agencies, had risen from $531 billion in 2000 to $899 billion in 2025, in constant 2025 dollars. However, legislation approved in July 2025 adds $156 billion to this total, pushing annual U.S. military spending to $1.06 trillion. Taking these supplemental funds into account, the U.S. military budget has nearly doubled this century, increasing 99% since 2000.<\/p>\n
The report also analyzes the tools of influence used by the arms industry \u2014 lobbying, millions in campaign donations, the revolving door, and others \u2014 that are expanding.<\/span>\u00a0 As of 2024, there were 950 lobbyists hired by the arms industry\u00a0\u2014\u00a0220 more than in 2020 \u2013 helping to shape policy and increase military spending.<\/p>\n