Russia plans to increase military spending in 2027 despite previous plans

Russia plans to significantly increase defense spending in 2027, despite previously stated intentions to gradually reduce the military burden on the budget.

According to Reuters, which reviewed government budget documents, next year Russia plans to allocate 17.1 trillion rubles, or about $203 billion, for defense. This is about 27% more than the 13.5 trillion rubles provided for 2027 in previous budget plans. This nominal amount will be the largest since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. Over 2027-2029, total defense spending should amount to about 50 trillion rubles.

The general parameters of the new budget published by the Russian authorities confirm the further concentration of resources on defense. As Russian media write, in 2027 total federal spending is planned at 48.8 trillion rubles, while revenues should amount to 43.3 trillion rubles. The deficit is expected at 2.2% of GDP.

The Russian government has directly included defense and security among the main budget priorities for the next three years. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, along with social obligations, named among the key areas the provision of the army and security forces, as well as support for war participants and their families.

Russian media, citing budget materials of the Russian Ministry of Finance, note that the funds should go, in particular, to the purchase of weapons and military equipment, modernization of enterprises of the military-industrial complex, monetary allowances for military personnel, and payments to their families.

For comparison, in the current parameters of the Russian budget for 2026, a little more than 12.1 trillion rubles is envisaged for the "National Defense" section, and about 3.8 trillion rubles for national security and law enforcement. These figures were published by the Russian Ministry of Finance at the end of 2025.

Thus, the amount of direct defense spending planned for 2027 will be significantly higher than the current level. At the same time, the 27% growth rate cited by Reuters is calculated not from the actual 2026 budget, but from the previous 2027 plan of 13.5 trillion rubles.

At the same time, the Russian authorities expect slower economic growth. According to the Russian government's forecast, GDP in 2027 will increase by only 1.4%, and acceleration to 2.4% is expected only by 2029.

Based on materials: Reuters, Russian media