Sur en Papikyan Describes the Purpose of Reducing Military Service Duration

The reduction of military service duration has one goal: to make the Armenian army more professional, stated Defense Minister Suren Papikyan in the National Assembly.

According to him, the basis for this is the efficiency of army recruitment. The minister refrained from discussing specific numbers, stating that he has mentioned them previously.

“But if there are again doubts regarding the calculations, I am ready to address this issue once more,” added Papikyan.

It is noteworthy that the duration of mandatory military service for conscripts in Armenia will be set to 18 months, starting from January 1, 2026. The decision will apply to citizens summoned for mandatory military service after this date.

The government's draft decision on declaring the winter conscription of 2025 envisions starting the actual process of army recruitment within the framework of the winter conscription on January 7, 2026. As a result, those citizens conscripted during the winter of 2025 will serve for a duration of 18 months.

The reduction in the service duration will not apply to citizens already in mandatory military service as of January 1, 2026.