Armenian opposition MP slams plan to shorten military service

Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has criticized the Armenian government’s plan to cut mandatory military service from two years to 18 months starting January 2026, saying the authorities should instead encourage service through benefits.

“Wouldn’t it be better for a conscript to knew that after completing two years of service, he would be guaranteed free education?” Abrahamyan, secretary of the Pativ Unem faction, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

He suggested offering incentives such as university quotas, double credit for work experience, state employment opportunities and health care benefits.

“That would give families long-term advantages, instead of shortening service by six months, creating new problems in the army and leaving young people to the whims of fate after demobilization,” the MP stressed.