Armenia plans shorter mandatory military service

The Armenian Ministry of Defense has proposed reducing the duration of mandatory military service from the current 24 months to 18 months.

The draft bill has been released for public discussion.

This move aligns with the government’s 2021–2026 program, which envisions a shorter mandatory service period as voluntary (contract-based) service expands.

According to the ministry, recent initiatives—such as the Homeland Defender contract service, the certification system, the professional sergeant system, and others—have produced positive results and made voluntary service more attractive.

If approved, the shorter service period will be implemented starting in the summer of 2026.