Armenian government approves draft bill to reduce mandatory military service by six months

The Armenian government has approved a draft bill to reduce the duration of mandatory military service. The proposed legislation would shorten the term of mandatory military service in the Armed Forces from 24 to 18 months.

The bill, which includes amendments to the Law “On Military Service and the Status of Servicemen,” will be submitted to the National Assembly for urgent consideration.

Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan, who presented the draft, announced that the winter conscription is scheduled to begin on January 7. This means that if the amendments are fully adopted by the National Assembly, young men will be drafted for 1.5 years starting this winter.

However, the changes will not be retroactive: those currently serving in the army will still complete the full two-year term.