BAKU (Realist English). Azerbaijan plans to increase the share of military spending in its 2026 state budget to 21%, according to figures released by the Ministry of Finance. The allocation for defense and national security will reach $5.12 billion.
The figure represents a rise from the 2025 budget, which earmarked $5.03 billion — or 20.7% of total expenditures — for similar purposes, Interfax reported.
By comparison, Armenia’s defense budget for 2025 is set at $1.6 billion (664.7 billion drams), equivalent to about 19.6% of overall state spending. This marks an increase of $273.5 million from the previous year.
Azerbaijan’s planned military outlays are more than three times those of Armenia, underscoring persistent tensions between the two neighbors in the South Caucasus.
