Ministry of Defense Responds to Bonus Payment Reports

The Ministry of Defense has responded to media reports regarding bonus payments. "Not millions, but billions of drams in bonuses at the Ministry of Defense. The entire personnel of the armed forces has received bonuses as well, with one official rate, affecting tens of thousands of people," stated officials from the Ministry.

Earlier, the newspaper "Hraparak" reported that the end-of-year bonuses at the Ministry would be allocated using a new method. For the first time, the government has implemented a pilot program according to which political, discretionary, and civil service officials at the Ministry will receive bonuses based on performance results for the first half of 2025. Accordingly, the three deputy ministers will receive 4.8 million drams each. The two advisers to the minister, heads of departments, the press secretary, the head of the secretariat, the head of the military medical examination center, and several others will receive 2.6 million drams each. The total amount of bonuses for this group will reach 146 million 296 thousand drams.

Those who are slightly below this tier, the deputy heads of departments and heads of divisions—about 50 people—will be rewarded with approximately 1.2 million drams each. In contrast to the upper echelon, civil servants will receive bonuses amounting to 62-145 thousand drams.

In addition to the bonuses, ministry employees will receive a 13th salary equivalent to one rate.