Russia’s Military Budget 2026: How Much Does Russia Spend?
Russia spent about $190 billion on its military in 2025, equal to 7.5 percent of GDP, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Only the United States and China spent more, and no other major economy devotes so large a share of its output to defense.
The 2026 budget was written to bring that figure down for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine. Spending in the first half of the year went the other way. This guide sets out what Russia planned, what it has actually spent, where the money comes from and how the totals compare with NATO’s.
How much does Russia spend on its military?
Russian military spending has almost tripled in dollar terms since the year before the invasion. SIPRI’s annual figures show the climb.
| Year | Spending | Share of GDP |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $65.9 billion | 3.7% |
| 2022 | $86.4 billion | 4.1% |
| 2023 | $109 billion | 5.9% |
| 2024 | $149 billion | 7.1% |
| 2025 | $190 billion | 7.5% |
SIPRI’s totals are broader than the defense ministry’s budget. They include military pensions, the National Guard and other security spending that Russia books under different headings. The forces this money supports are described in how strong Russia’s military is.
Russia’s 2026 defense budget
The federal budget law for 2026 allocates about 12.1 trillion rubles to the chapter called National Defense. SIPRI researcher Julian Cooper, who adds in military items from other chapters, estimates total military spending for the year at about 14.9 trillion rubles, or 6.3 percent of GDP and 28 percent of all federal spending.
| Year | National Defense chapter | Total military spending |
|---|---|---|
| 2025, actual | Not stated | 16.0 trillion rubles |
| 2026, planned | 12.1 trillion rubles | 14.9 trillion rubles |
| 2027, planned | 13.6 trillion rubles | 15.7 trillion rubles |
| 2028, planned | 13.0 trillion rubles | 15.3 trillion rubles |
On those numbers the 2026 plan is a cut of about 13 percent in real terms from 2025. It was the first planned reduction of the war, and it assumed that the fighting would become less costly.
Is Russia spending more than planned?
Yes, so far. The German Institute for International and Security Affairs estimated from Russian finance ministry data that military-related outlays reached 10.7 trillion rubles, about $123 billion, in the first half of 2026. That is 30 percent more than in the first half of 2025 and equal to 43.8 percent of all federal spending in the period, a record.
Russian budgets are front-loaded, with large advance payments to arms factories early in the year, so the annual total will not simply be double the half-year figure. Even so, the same analysts put cumulative war-related spending since 2022 at about $660 billion.
How does Russia pay for the war?
Oil and gas revenue, taxes and borrowing at home. Russia has been shut out of Western capital markets since 2022, so deficits are covered by selling ruble bonds to state banks and by drawing on the National Wealth Fund, whose liquid assets have fallen by well over half since the invasion.
Taxes are rising to close the gap. The main rate of value added tax went up from 20 to 22 percent in January 2026, following increases in corporate and income taxes a year earlier. High interest rates, used to contain inflation, have raised the cost of servicing government debt and squeezed civilian industry.
How does Russian spending compare with NATO’s?
At market exchange rates Russia is heavily outspent. SIPRI put the combined military spending of NATO’s European members at $559 billion in 2025, about three times Russia’s, before counting the United States. Ukraine spent $84 billion, which was 40 percent of its GDP.
Dollar comparisons understate what Russia gets for its money. Soldiers are paid in rubles and weapons are built at domestic prices. Adjusted for purchasing power, the IISS estimated Russia’s 2024 military spending at about $460 billion, slightly more than all of Europe combined that year. What it buys in troops and equipment is covered in how big Russia’s army is and how many tanks Russia has.
What does the money buy?
Detail is scarce, because about a third of federal spending is now classified. The broad picture is that personnel costs have grown fastest: signing bonuses, front-line pay and compensation for the dead and wounded. The rest goes mainly to the state defense order for ammunition, drones, missiles, armored vehicles and aircraft, and to repairing damaged equipment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Russia’s military budget in 2026?
The National Defense chapter is about 12.1 trillion rubles. SIPRI estimates total planned military spending at about 14.9 trillion rubles, or 6.3 percent of GDP.
How much did Russia spend on its military in 2025?
About $190 billion, or 7.5 percent of GDP, according to SIPRI.
What share of Russia’s budget goes to the military?
About 28 percent under the 2026 plan. In the first half of 2026 the actual share was close to 44 percent, according to a German research institute.
Does Russia spend more than Europe on defense?
Not at market exchange rates. European NATO members spent about $559 billion in 2025. Adjusted for purchasing power, the totals are much closer.
How much has the war in Ukraine cost Russia?
About $660 billion in military-related spending since 2022, by one estimate based on Russian finance ministry data.
- SIPRI – Russia’s military budget for 2026, Julian Cooper (March 2026): sipri.org
- SIPRI – Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2025 (April 2026): sipri.org
- The Defense Post – Russian war spending hits record $123B in first half of 2026: thedefensepost.com
- Euromaidan Press – SIPRI figures for Russia and Ukraine, 2025: euromaidanpress.com
- IISS – The Military Balance: iiss.org
