The Armenian government has submitted a draft law for public discussion that proposes reducing the length of mandatory military service from two years to 1.5 years, starting with the summer 2026 conscription, Auroranews reports.
The draft specifically amends Article 5, Part 4, Clause 1 of the 2017 law “On Military Service and the Status of Servicemen,” replacing the term “24 months” with “18 months.”
The final provision of the proposed law states that it will take effect on July 1, 2026. However, it will not apply retroactively to those already in active service as of that date.
The document justifies the change as part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing Armenia’s military service system.
In parliament, Prime Minister Pashinyan explained that defense spending might not increase in the 2026 budget, as there was already a disproportionately large hike in 2025 compared to 2024. Part of that funding was used to cover future debts and obligations.
