Armenia’s defense expenditures in 2025 will amount to 664,7 billion drams (over $1.7 billion), Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan told lawmakers while presenting next year’s draft budget on Monday, October 28, Armenpress reports.

Hovhannisyan said defense spending will comprise almost 56% of the total capital expenditures. “55,8% of capital expenditures will be directed to the defense sector. The defense expenditures will amount to 664,7 billion drams, 20% higher than the defense expenditures envisaged in the 2024 budget,” the Finance Minister said. “As a result, the defense expenditures will amount to 6% of the GDP and will be 0,7% higher compared to 2024.” Hovhannisyan noted that the entire focus of the 2025 budget is on advancing the defense sector.