Turkey's defense expenditures will reach $14 billion in 2019: NATOJune 26, 2019 - 12:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's defense expenditures, which were $14.1 billion last year, will reach $13.9 billion in the current year, NATO said in a report estimating that this year its member countries' total defense expenditures will reach $1.04 trillion, Anadolu Agency reports. Over the last seven years -- 2012 to 2018 -- the alliance’s 29 member countries spent a total of around $6.6 trillion, according to a NATO report released Tuesday. Last year the member countries' defense expenses totaled $970.3 billion, the report highlighted. In 2019, the U.S. made the largest single-country expenditures -- $730 billion -- followed by Britain ($60.4 billion), Germany ($54.1 billion), France ($50.7 billion), and Canada ($21.9 billion), the report said. NATO estimated that its member countries would spend 2.51% of their GDP in 2019 for defense. The organization's member countries have a total of 3.26 million military personnel, including 41% of them in the U.S., 13% in Turkey, and 6.4% in France. Defense expenditures included personnel, equipment, research and development, and infrastructure expenses, according to NATO. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |