Austerity hits Armenia’s armed forces, mass dismissals underway

Significant personnel reductions are underway within the Armenian Armed Forces and the broader Ministry of Defence apparatus, signaling a major shift in the country’s military staffing policies.

A substantial number of servicemen have been dismissed over recent months from both the Ministry of Defence headquarters and subordinate military units. These dismissals have occurred largely without clear or detailed explanations, fueling speculation about the underlying motives, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

According to the report, the initial wave of layoffs primarily targeted servicemen who failed recent certification processes yet remained on duty under minimal compensation. Additionally, the report draws attention to an unprecedented surge in civilian personnel within the military establishment, outnumbering uniformed soldiers for the first time in recent memory.

Military insiders suggest that these sweeping changes are chiefly driven by a government-led austerity agenda focused on curbing defence expenditures. While the ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process is a contextual factor, sources emphasize that fiscal consolidation remains the primary rationale behind the restructuring.

By Vafa Guliyeva