On May 22, the Armenian Cabinet approved a bill authored by Civil Contract Party MP Hayk Sargsyan aimed at preventing draft dodging among conscription-age male citizens and reforming the country’s mandatory military service system through new, flexible options.
Armenia currently requires all male citizens aged 18 to 27 to serve two years in the military. The legislation proposes significant reforms to this system.
MP Sargsyan initially proposed setting the upper age limit for conscription at 37, but following consultations with relevant government bodies, the limit was lowered to 32. This revised limit will apply only to individuals who turn 18 after the law takes effect, meaning it will not affect those who are already 19, 20, or older.
Sargsyan also proposed three service options for conscription-age men:
- Serve the full 24 months with high remuneration;
- Pay 15 million drams and serve 6 months;
- Pay 20 million drams and serve 1 month.
However, the final amended version—presented by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and approved by the Cabinet—offers the following options under the new system:
- Pay 18 million drams and serve four months;
- Pay 24 million drams and serve one month.
The government will retain the authority to set quotas for each conscription season and define the number of eligible applicants for these shortened service options.
Sargsyan’s proposal also included changes for individuals who became Armenian citizens before turning 18 or during the conscription period and who had either not served in another country or had served for less than a year. For these individuals, the bill would reduce the required service from 24 to 12 months, with the possibility of avoiding service entirely by paying 2.5 million drams.
To address attempts at avoiding military service through renunciation of citizenship, the bill stipulates that individuals under the age of 16 who apply to renounce their Armenian citizenship must pay a state fee of 15 million drams.
The legislation also seeks to close another loophole by addressing concerns over ethnic Armenians from the Diaspora who delay applying for citizenship until surpassing the conscription age limit. According to the MP, most of them wait until reaching the upper age limit and only then apply for Armenian citizenship to avoid service or legal consequences. The proposed law gives these individuals the opportunity to fulfill military obligations either through reduced service or a corresponding financial contribution to the state.
Funds generated through the new payment options will be directed to support Armenia’s armed forces.
The bill is now set to be debated in Parliament.
