Azerbaijan to cut military spending

Zahid Oruj, member of a parliamentary commission for defense and security, told APA-ECONOMICS that AZN 1 205.520 million is earmarked for next year.

"Of this, AZN 1 115.948 million will go to defense forces, AZN 84.561 million to national security, AZN 2.633 million to applied research and AZN 2.379 million to other expenses. The reason for a year-over-year decline in defense spending is that fixed capital investment was made in previous years. However, the defense sector will be in the focus of attention and social security of service men will be further improved," he added.

In the category of Defense Expenditures, the year-over-year decline was 19% for defense forces, 12% for national security, 31% for other subcategories and 2% for applied research.

The draft budget has been submitted to the parliament for approval last week.

/APA/