Armenia plans to cut defense spending by 15.3%: draft state budget for 2026

Armenia is expected to reduce its defense expenditures in 2026, according to the draft state budget currently under discussion at a joint session of the standing parliamentary committees on October 27.

Compared to the 2025 budget draft, the expenses of the Ministry of Defense will decrease by 15.3%, totaling 563.1 billion drams (approximately $1.4 billion). This represents about 15.5% of total government spending.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will also face cuts. In this case, the reduction will be 2.2%, bringing its budget down to 102.6 billion drams (around $267 million).