Pashinyan: Armenia not preparing for military conflict

Armenia is not preparing for war and remains committed to a peace-oriented policy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, marking the country’s Army Day.

In an address, Pashinyan said Armenia’s armed forces had undergone consistent modernisation in recent years, with their defensive capabilities being strengthened on an ongoing basis, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

He highlighted an increase in military salaries, the implementation of a voluntary certification programme for service personnel, expanded social guarantees and the procurement of modern military equipment.

The prime minister stressed that the army has a clearly defined mission: to protect Armenia’s internationally recognised territory.

He underlined that Yerevan’s priority remains peace, but added that a strong and professional army is a necessary condition for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, independence and security.

After the Second Karabakh War, Armenia began rebuilding and modernising its armed forces, increasing defence spending and diversifying its military suppliers.

While Russia remained the main supplier, with deliveries including Mi‑8 and Mi‑17 helicopters, Armenia also expanded procurement from India—acquiring artillery radars, surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles, and 155 mm howitzers—and France, receiving armoured vehicles, radar systems, air defence missiles, and self-propelled artillery.

By Aghakazim Guliyev