Armenian conscription reform could shift burden to reservists, expert warns

For one man to avoid two years of mandatory military service, his absence will be made up for by at least 22 reservists who will be called up for a 25-day training camp, warns military expert Karen Vrtanesyan.

The statement comes amid growing debate over a new draft law presented in the Armenian Parliament, which proposes allowing citizens over the age of 18 to pay to shorten compulsory military service. Under the bill, individuals could serve six months instead of two years by paying $47,000, or reduce service to just one month for $62,000, Caliber.Az reports.

According to  his own calculations, Vrtanesyan shared on Facebook that the policy would create an unfair and unsustainable burden on reservists. He explained that a conscript typically undergoes three months of training followed by around 45 weeks of active combat duty during their two-year term, mostly in two-week rotations.

“45 weeks is 22 and a half two-week shifts, rounded up to 22 reservists. Each of them will be torn away from family and work for 25 days,” the expert writes,” he wrote. 

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Armenian citizens are currently wanted for evading military service.

By Sabina Mammadli