Armenian prime minister justifies defence budget cut for 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during a government Q&A session in parliament, commented on plans to cut the military budget for 2026.

He noted that in 2025, compared to the 2024 budget, there was a significant, disproportionate increase in defence spending (by 115 billion drams – around $300 million), Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“Part of these expenses we directed towards covering debts and obligations, including in the defence sector. In other words, we considered it reasonable to reduce the debt burden now on obligations that were supposed to be paid in 2030 or 2035. But that’s not the only reason,” Pashinyan said.

By this logic, he explained, defence spending in 2026 will still be higher than in 2024. He urged not to look at this issue through mere arithmetic. If not for the sharp increase in spending in 2025, the gradual annual growth would have continued into 2026.

The Armenian Prime Minister stated that this is the reason behind the absence of growth in defence expenditures and the planned cut.

“But there are also other factors, which I can present to parliament in closed session if necessary,” Pashinyan noted.

By Vugar Khalilov