Assessment and improvement of the effectiveness of defense spending in the context of geo-economic challenges

In this paper, the issues of developing methodological foundations for building monitoring and decision support systems are considered. The development of a terminological apparatus for methodological research and scientific justification of the level of defense spending in modern geopolitical and geo-economic realities is considered. The study clarified key concepts, in particular, examined the difference between terms such as "military spending" and "defense spending." Their classification is proposed, which includes direct costs that are directly related to the military sphere, and indirect costs that are aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the state's defense capability through infrastructure, scientific research and social aspects. Special attention is paid to the analysis of marginal defense expenditures, their minimum and maximum levels, affecting the economy and social development. Interpretations of the relationships between the levels of defense spending and economic growth are presented, as well as scenarios for their implementation. The role of interdepartmental coordination in the process of forming the defense budget is described, emphasizing the importance of methodological elaboration and the introduction of appropriate mechanisms to ensure the rational use of funds. The article shows the need to determine effective defense spending in the modern world, which should ensure an optimal combination of military security needs and socio-economic development of the country