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Armenian Defense Minister comments on reduction of military service period

22 October 2025 17:54 (UTC +04:00)

Within the framework of the government's program, the reduction of the term of service of conscripts in the Armenian army will be ensured by increasing the number of those serving on a contract basis, said the country's defense minister, Suren Papikyan, APA reports, citing Armenian media.

"Many soldiers under the Defender of the Fatherland program have decided to stay in the army for many years. This number already reaches several thousand people. So, it is inappropriate to say that we are reducing the army," he noted.

Recall that on October 21, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the law on reducing the term of military service of conscripts will come into force earlier than planned. If the law is adopted, starting from the winter draft in 2026, the term of service will be 1.5 years, not 2 years.