Armenia has taken a major step to strengthen its national security by approving draft legislation to establish a new foreign counterintelligence unit within the National Security Service (NSS). The move, announced during a November 6 cabinet meeting, marks a significant expansion of Armenia’s intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities amid ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation against external threats.
Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) will soon include a foreign counterintelligence unit, following the government’s approval of a set of draft laws aimed at enhancing the country’s intelligence and counterintelligence capacity.
The decision was made during the cabinet meeting held on November 6, where officials approved the bills “On Amendments and Additions to the Law on National Security Bodies” and “On Amendments and Additions to the Law on Service in National Security Bodies.” Both drafts were deemed urgent and will now be submitted to the National Assembly for debate.
According to the government’s rationale, the creation of the new unit stems from the Law on Foreign Intelligence Activity and Foreign Intelligence Service, adopted on December 23, 2022, which defines the legal framework for Armenia’s foreign intelligence operations.
The establishment of a dedicated foreign counterintelligence division under the NSS Main Directorate of Intelligence is expected to strengthen Armenia’s ability to identify and neutralize external threats more effectively and systematically.
The unit will also be responsible for protecting Armenian diplomatic missions abroad and coordinating with the country’s Foreign Intelligence Service, ensuring closer interagency cooperation in national security matters.
Under the proposed legislation, the new division will be granted direct access to the information systems and databases of state and local government bodies and other organizations—including remote access when necessary—to carry out its operational duties.
Additionally, the bills propose allowing citizens over the age of 30 to be appointed to positions within specialized divisions of the NSS, including border troops and special operations units, if their expertise meets the service’s professional requirements.
