Armenian expert: Pashinyan dismantling army, replacing it with "peasant force" Military reform faces harsh criticism

On May 22, the Armenian government approved a legislative proposal put forward by Hayk Sargsyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract faction, which introduces a system of paid short-term military service. Although the draft law underwent some revisions, its fundamental premise remained unchanged: it proposes a new format of mandatory service that the authorities claim will help modernise Armenia’s conscription system and provide an alternative option.

Under the updated version of the bill, one month of military service will cost $62,000, while four months of service will cost $47,000. The number of applicants will be capped by a government decision. The proposed legislation also suggests raising the maximum age for mandatory military service to 32.

The bill has triggered widespread public controversy in Armenia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Military expert Hayk Nagapetyan, speaking to journalists, expressed strong concerns, saying the initiative endangers Armenia’s defence capabilities and deepens a crisis of social justice.

“Decisions like this directly undermine national security. Essentially, this initiative introduces a new form of social injustice. If a wealthy person can pay to exempt their child from service or renounce citizenship altogether, it adds yet another layer to already sharp internal and social tensions,” Nagapetyan said.

According to him, the Armenian army is increasingly becoming a structure where only citizens from the most vulnerable segments of society serve. “When a well-off citizen can avoid service, while a financially struggling parent isn’t even sure if their son will return from the army alive and healthy, they may be forced to sell their only home or renounce citizenship. This is a direct blow to both national defence and internal solidarity,” he emphasised.

Nagapetyan also criticised the proposed age limit of 32, warning it could encourage emigration. “It’s clear that such changes will not only lead to a mass outflow of the population, but will also have an extremely negative impact on the demographic situation. These reforms only benefit Azerbaijan. It’s the most effective way to dismantle Armenia’s Armed Forces,” he stated.

In his assessment, the Armenian government is deliberately steering the country toward a gradual dismantling of its military. “There are two ways to eliminate an institution: either sign a decree formally abolishing it, as was done with several ministries in 2018, or dismantle it step by step. Right now, we’re seeing the latter. The number of conscripts is decreasing, and no adequate social incentives are being created for contract soldiers. As a result, both groups are shrinking, and the army is weakening.”

Nagapetyan further stressed that, in wartime, the decisive factor is not technology, but people. “Victory in war is not about machines — it’s about people, their motivation, and willingness to follow orders at the cost of their lives. But here, even in the context of an ongoing conflict, everything is reduced to social injustice. This only prepares the ground for another defeat in a future confrontation with Azerbaijan.”

He concluded that the government's approach poses a direct threat to Armenia's national security: “Every law passed by the current authorities leads toward dismantling the army, not all at once, but gradually, just like they once abolished ministries. Now they’re doing the same to the army. Instead of developing it, they are trying to create something like a proletarian-peasant army drawn from the poorest segments of society, even though there are hardly any factories left. This is not a solution. Any such policy in our country is a direct challenge to our defence capabilities and national security,” Nagapetyan said.

By Tamilla Hasanova