The fresh realities created by Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus influenced the request to keep defence capabilities at the highest possible level. small wonder, then, that the main precedence of Baku for 2024 was a tough force to defend Azerbaijan's strategical interests, including ensuring the integrity of its territory and borders. 6 billion 421 million manates were allocated for defence and national safety expenditure, or 366 million manates (6%) more than in 2023.