Pashinyan: Armenian army focused solely on national defence

Armenia’s armed forces have no missions beyond the country’s internationally recognised borders, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated.

Speaking during a joint session of standing committees in the National Assembly on the 2026 state budget, Pashinyan emphasised the importance of redefining the concept of a “combat-ready army” in everyday discourse, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“We consider it crucial to transform the notion of a ‘combat-ready army’ into a ‘defence-capable army’,” he said.

“When we speak of a combat-ready army, the potential location of a conflict is not specified. It is essential for us to underline that the Armenian army must be capable of defending Armenia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens.”

Pashinyan also stressed that, under international law, every state is obliged to ensure the security of its citizens, including protection against possible external interference.

By Aghakazim Guliyev