Azerbaijan's military budget rises to $4.4 billion

[Atabeg]

For comparision, Armenian state budget (state budget, not military) are $2.5 billion.

http://www.abc.az/news_17_01_2012_61447.html

Shall we not only restore our territorial integrity, but also Irevan Khanate.

[ivan_the_terrible]

What a waste of money. Could've increased pensions or teacher salaries. It's not like Armenia is a threat.

[Kitsunegari]

What a waste of money. Could've increased pensions or teacher salaries. It's not like Armenia is a threat.

Are you aware of the dispute between these nations? Not that i agree they should start an irredentist war, but it's definitely understandable given the public frustration with the current situation. Of course we should all hope that an understanding can be reached and war avoided in such an unstable region.

[Tiberios]

Another "Azerbaijan is cool, Armenia sucks" thread. Great.

What a waste of money. Could've increased pensions or teacher salaries. It's not like Armenia is a threat.

Indeed. Azerbaijan should rather spend their money in the civilian sector rather than building a large military.

[Their Law]

What a waste of money. Could've increased pensions or teacher salaries. It's not like Armenia is a threat.

This.

[white-wolf]

What a waste of money. Could've increased pensions or teacher salaries. It's not like Armenia is a threat.

Surely, you must be joking.

Or, you do not count of between %20-%25 Azeri lands (Karabagh + surrounding 6 rayons) which is under Armenian occupation is a threat but bird seeing visit.

[Tiberios]

Armenia isn't really a threat for Azerbaijan. The current stalemate is as much the fault of Azerbaijan and their refusal to accept the wishes of the majority Armenian population of Nargorno-Karabakh as it is the fault of Armenia and Nargorno-Karabakh. Threatening Armenia and NK with war will not solve the conflict, instead it might just lead to a renewed open war between both sides. That is the least anyone should be whishing for. Instead all parties should seek to establish peace and Azerbaijan shouls accept that the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh does not want to be part of Azerbaijan.

[ivan_the_terrible]

I'm well aware of the dispute. But I'm sure the Azerbaijan elite is very aware also that Armenia has no capability to attack Azerbaijan (and win), even if it was crazy enough to try.

I'm not surprised at the military budget increase; just saddened. It's good [ie lucrative] for Azerbaijan's military-industrial sector though (and its major arms suppliers).

[Burnum]

It's just not Armenia, though. Azerbaijan has to deal with an increasingly hostile Iran.

[Roboute Guilliman]

It's just not Armenia, though. Azerbaijan has to deal with an increasingly hostile Iran.

Hostile Iran? All I see is the small Azeri republic trying to claim lands here and there. I think its quite natural Iran doesnt see them as friends.

[Burnum]

Hostile Iran? All I see is the small Azeri republic trying to claim lands here and there. I think its quite natural Iran doesnt see them as friends.

The Azeri claim on Iranian land only came after Iran repeatedly tried undermine and subvert their government.

[Roboute Guilliman]

The Azeri claim on Iranian land only came after Iran repeatedly tried undermine and subvert their government.

Ok.

[Roboute Guilliman]

Wow this must be like 90% of their GDP.

[PointOfViewGun]

Wow this must be like 90% of their GDP.

It's actually about 5% in 2011...

[Atabeg]

Wow this must be like 90% of their GDP.

Yeah right.

BTW, the state budget are 25 billion. In comparision, Armenia spends nearly 400 million out of their 2.5 billion state budget.

But anyway, Azerbaijan is an oil producing country and State Oil Fund's reserves will pass 100 billion USD in few years. So Azerbaijan has also that resource, apart from the state budget. Oil profits accounts for half of state budget, rest goes to State Oil Fund.

[Condottiere 40K]

I thought it was anecessary prelimnary to their next counter insurgency surge to recover Nagorno-Karabakh and prevent third party actors from military intereference.

[Admiral Piett]

Okay, so Azerbaijan is able to flex its military might a little bit due to oil revenue.

What does Armenia have to do with any of this?

[John I Tzimisces]

Okay, so Azerbaijan is able to flex its military might a little bit due to oil revenue.

What does Armenia have to do with any of this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagorno-Karabakh_War

[Admiral Piett]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagorno-Karabakh_War

Let me rephrase...

Why should the OP state this and then use the article for any reason other than to gloat about it to Armenian posters?

[Blau&Gruen]

OP's reference in Google translator:

Title: In 2012, Azerbaijan's military spending will reach $ 4.4 billion
Header: aku, Fineko / abc.az. Azerbaijan's military spending in 2012 will exceed $ 4.397 billion on the expected average exchange rate (0.79 manats to 1 U.S. dollar).
Text: As announced yesterday at a cabinet meeting Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, in 2012, costs related to military matters, would amount to 3.474 billion manat against 3.413 billion manat in 2011. The President also noted that the military-industrial complex (MIC) produces about 600 samples of defense products.

Their defence budget was around 2,5 millards in 2009. I assume the increase goes hand in hand with the improved export capacities of their oil and gas in recent years. More revenues allow more spending. Unsolved conflicts and the general situation may partially explain the relative high (4-5% of GNP) spendings for defence in the region.