Russia Plans Record $145 Billion Defense Budget for 2025, 41% of Spending

Sep 30, 2024, 07:01 PM

Russia plans to significantly increase its defense spending by approximately 25% in 2025, according to a draft budget submitted to the State Duma. The proposed defense budget will rise to 13.5 trillion rubles ($145 billion), up from 10.4 trillion rubles this year, marking the highest level since the post-Soviet era. Defense expenditure will account for about 6.3% of Russia's GDP and will represent 41% of its annual expenditures, exceeding spending on social programs and education combined. This shift marks a departure from earlier plans to reduce military expenditures and reflects the government's expectation that ongoing military operations will continue amid tensions with NATO. The budget focuses on national defense, technological sovereignty, and fulfillment of social commitments. In 2021, Russia's defense budget was $66 billion, indicating a substantial escalation over the past few years.