Military budget of Russia

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Russia’s military budget is the part of the national budget that pays for the armed forces. It covers salaries, training, maintenance of equipment and facilities, ongoing operations, and the purchase of weapons, vehicles, and gear.

Key points in simple terms:
- Historical trend: In 1988, the Soviet budget for the military was about 21 billion rubles (roughly $68.8 billion in 1988 dollars). After the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia’s defence spending fell sharply in real terms during the 1991–1997 period. The 1998 financial crisis brought spending to its lowest level in years.
- Rebuilding under Putin: After the Chechen wars and reforms, military spending rose rapidly. By 2012, it was the highest in real terms since Russia became independent, though still far below the USSR’s 1990 level in real terms.
- Mid-2010s changes: In 2014 the budget was about 2.49 trillion rubles (around $69 billion then), the largest in Europe and a sizable share of the U.S. budget. The value in dollars fell in the following years due to the ruble’s decline, with 2015 and 2016 budgets adjusted upward in ruble terms but lower in dollars.
- Recent levels and plans: In 2021, SIPRI estimated Russia’s military spending at about $66 billion. By 2022–2023, dollar figures were reported around $75–84 billion, with some reports suggesting over $100 billion for 2023. For 2025, defense and security spending is expected to be about 40% of total government outlays, and roughly 7% of Russia’s GDP. The government plans to spend around $600 billion on military and police from 2022 to 2025.
- Varied estimates: Different research groups (like SIPRI, IISS, and IHS) use different methods, so figures can vary. Official numbers and independent estimates sometimes diverge.

Bottom line: Russia spends a substantial and sometimes rising share of its budget on defense, influenced by economic factors, political priorities, and ongoing military activities.