Continued Military Expansion and Preparedness: Russia’s Defense Budget to Rise 27% by 2027

According to Reuters, the Russian government has submitted a draft three-year budget for 2027–2029, projecting a total state budget of 1.71 trillion rubles for 2027—approximately $202.6 billion—representing a 27% increase over previous projections and the highest level since the start of the Ukraine conflict. This figure accounts for 35% of the federal budget. When including expenditures related to national security, the National Guard, and other paramilitary entities, total military and security spending reaches 2.14 trillion rubles, approaching 44% of the overall budget.

On September 30, the government presented the draft budget to the State Duma. As reported by Reuters, the 2027 plan allocates 1.71 trillion rubles for "defense"—equivalent to 6.9% of GDP and 35% of total budget outlays—a rise of 27% above the parameters established under current budget legislation. Meanwhile, social policy spending is projected to decline by 7%, education by 6%, healthcare by 6.8%, and economic development by 7.4%.

Citing Alexandra Prokopenko, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Berlin Center, The Moscow Times reports that expenditures across all power institutions—including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, and special services—account for 44% of the national budget.

The increased defense funding is intended to support expanded military personnel compensation and pensions, ensure large-scale wartime production of ammunition, missiles, and armored equipment, upgrade air and missile defense systems in response to Ukrainian long-range strike capabilities, and implement the new military modernization program.

To finance these defense expenditures, Russia is expected to resort to tax increases and expanded borrowing, intensifying fiscal pressure and further constraining spending on social welfare. It should be noted that certain defense-related expenditures remain classified, suggesting that actual military spending exceeds publicly disclosed figures. For comparison, the combined defense budgets of NATO European member states amount to approximately $574 billion—about 2.8 times Russia’s projected 2027 defense budget. The draft remains subject to review by the State Duma, with minor adjustments possible.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1877875344500746/

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