El Salvador requests US$250.6 million defense budget for 2023

The Salvadoran Ministry of Defense plans to approve a budget of U$250.6 million for 2023.

This is slightly less than the current year’s budget, which is US$256.6 million.

El Salvador’s Defense Minister, Vice Admiral René Merino, defended his institution’s 2023 budget before Wednesday the Legislative Assembly (unicameral congress).

The draft 2023 general state budget allocates US$250.6 million for defense, including US$17.7 million for public investment.

The defense budget increases next year’s compensation line item by US$294,895.

According to the official presentation, the budget is $232.8 million, with public investment deducted because most projects are already included in the 2022 budget law.

Merino explained that of this, more than 232 million, 88.35% would be used for salary payments, 9.24% for goods and services, 0.62% for financial expenditures, 0.95% for current transfers, and 0.83% for investments.

NEED FOR SHIPS

In addition, the head of the Department of Defense assured the deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the need for the institution to acquire good ships to respond to climatic emergencies.

Merino pointed out, for example, that the Armed Forces of El Salvador (FAES) carried out evacuation and rescue operations for citizens affected by torrential rains during Storm Julia on Oct. 10.

“We need boats and straightforward, outboard motors that cannot work at sea,” Merino said.

He said they are involved in rescue operations in mangrove swamps, characterized by shallow water, so they need special outboard motors to enter these areas.

The minister added that the institution is procuring modern weapons for the military.

“We are replacing the weapons from the 1980s with modern weapons that will enable them to carry out the mission we have been given efficiently,” he confirmed.

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