In Armenia, the 24-month mandatory military service period of rank-and-file personnel will be set to 18 months. the decision will apply to citizens who are conscripted for mandatory military service after January 1, 2026.
According to the draft of the government's decision to announce the winter draft of 2025, it is planned to start the actual process of filling up the Armed Forces within the framework of the winter draft from January 7, 2026, as a result of which the citizens conscripted for compulsory military service will serve for an 18-month period starting from the winter draft of 2025. The reduction of the service period will not apply to citizens who are in compulsory military service as of January 1, 2026.
In the National Assembly, Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan announced that they have adopted a draft law, which allows the leave for conscripts to be 21 days for servicemen in the rear military units, and 30 days for those performing border service.
The minister noted that after the 18-month period comes into force, there will be a need for changes, clarifications, because the previous decision was made for two years of service. Papikyan noted that it would be unfair to extend this decision to those who were in the service before. "Talking about the need for incentives... I already talked about vacations, I think it is very fair, and our dear soldiers and their parents should be understanding, because this refers to those who will serve in the future." emphasized Papikyan.
