Armenia approves bill allowing citizens to buy out military service

The Armenian government has approved a controversial draft law permitting individuals of conscription age to pay for exemption from full military service.

According to the proposed legislation, those eligible may opt to serve only one month — the minimum required training course — by paying 24 million drams (approximately $62,000). Alternatively, a four-month training-only service will cost 18 million drams (about $46,000), Armenian media report, as cited by Caliber.Az.

Defence Minister Suren Papikyan emphasised that individuals who complete the reduced service period will still be registered as military reservists. He also clarified that the number of participants eligible for paid exemptions may be limited by the government based on the Defence Ministry’s needs.

The draft law also introduces financial provisions related to citizenship. A fee of 15 million drams (around $39,000) will be required for renouncing Armenian citizenship before the age of 16. Foreign nationals who acquire Armenian citizenship during the pre-conscription or conscription period must either serve for 12 months or pay 2.5 million drams (more than $6,000).

Papikyan noted that the funds collected through this initiative will be used to support soldiers who commit to five-year service terms. He stated that each payment of 24 million drams (over $61,000) will cover the service costs of two such soldiers.

Additionally, the bill proposes raising the upper age limit for conscription from 27 to 32 years. The change aims to ensure that only genuine researchers — those who complete postgraduate studies, earn a PhD, and engage in scientific work — are eligible for exemption, preventing misuse of academic pathways to avoid military service.

By Sabina Mammadli