Azerbaijan boosts defence, national security spending

Azerbaijan spent 17.5 per cent or over 5.62 billion manats ($3.3 billion) of the state budget on defence and national security in 2022.

The data finds itself in the annual report on the implementation of the Azerbaijani state budget for 2022, discussed on May 24 at the meeting of the parliamentary economic policy, industry and entrepreneurship committee, according to APA.

Compared to 2021, the figures were 737 million manats ($433.5 million) or 15.1 per cent less.

In addition, citing the draft law "On the execution of the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022", Report informed that Azerbaijan spent 457.1 million manats (nearly $269 million) to finance special defence projects from the reserve fund of Azerbaijan’s president in 2022.

The draft notes that in 2022, 517.9 million manats ($304.7 million) were used from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, of which 486.7 million manats ($286.3 million) or 94 per cent were allocated to finance capital expenditures, and 31.2 million manats ($18.3 million) or 6 per cent were allocated for current expenses.

Given the constant threats from neighbouring Armenia, Azerbaijan's military spending was increasing, particularly following a bloody 44-day war in 2020. The post-war unease on the border with Armenia, as well as the illegal presence of Armenian detachments in Azerbaijani territory temporarily monitored by Russian peacekeepers, pushes Baku to retain and strengthen the national army's combat capability.