Azerbaijan's defence budget will total AZN2.95 billion (USD3.75 billion), or 14.7% of budget expenditures in 2014, according to figures released by the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The budget is up by USD150 million over 2013, when defence spending was set at USD3.6 billion.

These funds are intended to strengthen national security, national defence, and the defence material and technical base, according to an MoD communiqué.

Azerbaijan has sought to use its military spending to boost its defence industries. In 2013 the volume of defence production in Azerbaijan edged up 3.7% from the previous year. This year's defence budget also includes funds for local industry through a programme to reactivate and modernise decommissioned MiG-25 'Foxbat' combat aircraft.

ANN.Az