SANTIAGO, Chile - According to the draft budget for 2015, the Chilean armed forces will receive $2.756 billion next year. The draft 2015 Budget Law is currently pending Congressional approval. The proposed budget for FY15 represents an increase of 2.2 percent over the FY14 budget.
Of the total amount to be allocated to the armed forces, 65.3 percent ($1.801 billion) will be destined for personnel costs, 25 percent for the purchase of consumer goods and services ($689 million), and less than one percent for social security benefits ($2.6 million).
The budget does not include weapons or equipment procurements as they are still funded under the Copper Law. Under Law13.196 (the Copper Law), 10 percent the state-run copper mining company's earnings are earmarked for military equipment purchases. The government is working to remove this funding mechanism, but for not, it remains tact.
Regarding the agencies within the Chilean MoD, the Secretary of Defense will be allocated $6.5 million, the Undersecretariat for the Armed Forces will receive $20.7 million, and the Joint Staff will have a budget of $44.9 million.
Part of the Joint Staff's budget will be used to fund peace missions ($32.1 million) to deploy 479 troops to Haiti, Bosnia, Cyprus, Indo-Pakistani, Middle East Brazil and Argentina. The Joint Staff's portion of the budget will also fund demining efforts ($5.3 million).