Reduction of military service term: a new reality for Armenia Expert opinions on Caliber.Az

The Armenian government has approved a draft amendment to the Law “On Military Service,” according to which, starting from the winter conscription of 2025, the duration of compulsory military service will be reduced from 24 months to 18 months. The amendment provides for a shorter term of mandatory service by increasing the number of contract soldiers.

“In recent years, active steps have been taken to expand contract-based military service, including the ‘Motherland defender’ programme, the introduction of a professional non-commissioned officer corps, a system of military personnel certification, and the organisation of contract service with the preservation of early military pensions in border units. The results of these initiatives have been assessed positively and contribute to enhancing the attractiveness of contract-based military service,” the explanatory note to the draft law states.

In this regard, the government deemed it appropriate to reduce the 24-month term of compulsory military service for enlisted personnel by six months, starting from the winter draft of 2025, setting the service term at 18 months.

The legislative amendments approved by the government will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration in due course.

This reform, the discussion of which has been ongoing since 2021, was originally planned to take effect with the summer draft of 2026. However, on October 21, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced that the amendment would come into force as early as January 1.

Some Armenian experts view this as a pre-election move by the Civil Contract party. The opposition, meanwhile, claims it is a “treacherous step” by Pashinyan’s team. According to them, such actions allegedly serve to fulfil certain “demands” from Baku and Ankara.

But what does this decision by the Armenian leadership actually mean? What is its true purpose? And could it bring any positive outcomes for the region as a whole?

Well-known experts shared their opinions on the matter with Caliber.Az.

Armenian journalist and blogger Roman Baghdasaryan noted that the opposition will, of course, describe this step as a pre-election move, since it is being taken just six months before the elections.

“The fact is that right after the war, Civil Contract declared the need to move towards a contract-based army, where conscripts should not bear the full burden of service and combat duties. This is exactly the logic that Civil Contract and the government are following.

As for compulsory service, we know that, for example, in Georgia and Azerbaijan, soldiers serve for 18 months, and certain categories even for 12. Only in Armenia do soldiers serve for two years. Personally, I believe that two years is far too long. A soldier gets the feeling that he is imprisoned for two years. Eighteen months is psychologically much easier — it feels like you serve for a year and a bit more, and that’s it, it’s over.

Therefore, this decision is very right, good, and, in fact, fair and reasonable. The quality of the army will certainly not decline for the simple reason that the resources saved will be redirected not towards conscripts but towards contract soldiers who, receiving decent pay, will be more motivated to serve. A motivated contract soldier is far better than a conscript who merely has to serve two years. That’s the logic,” the blogger explained.

In his opinion, the reduction of military spending in Armenia and Azerbaijan will benefit both countries.

“For the simple reason that our countries have always lacked sufficient funds for areas that are crucial to improving people’s living standards and quality of life. For instance, Armenia’s healthcare system will receive more funding this year thanks to such reductions. I believe it is important for everyone to cut defence spending and, for the first time in 35 years, pay greater attention to healthcare.

It’s not only about the families of those killed or wounded — it’s also about parents suffering from stress-related illnesses and the population as a whole. Therefore, this will, in any case, be beneficial. We must focus on the health of our people. I hope that Azerbaijan thinks the same way,” Baghdasaryan emphasised.

In turn, Irish political scientist and historian Patrick Walsh noted that Pashinyan is embarking on a new path where the future of the Armenian people and state takes priority.

“This marks a departure from the nationalist revanchism that has defined Yerevan’s policies for decades. He is, in fact, using defeat to steer Armenia in a new direction — one where Armenians no longer prioritise expansionist nationalism but focus instead on the welfare of their citizens.

Azerbaijan’s victory helped Pashinyan rid himself of the intransigent and reactionary Karabakh clan, and now he is leading the state along a different course.

Let us hope that he succeeds, and that peace and prosperity prevail in the region — that militarism is suppressed and mutual trust returns among the peoples of the South Caucasus. However, Armenia’s leadership faces strong internal resistance, placing the country at a crossroads. Yet one would like to believe that Pashinyan will manage to persist on the right path,” Walsh concluded.