Prime Minister spoke about reforms in the Armed Forces and peace with Azerbaijan
28.01.2026,
11:01
In his congratulatory message on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Armed Forces, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country's army has not and will not have missions beyond defending the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia.
YEREVAN, January 28. /ARKA/. In his congratulatory message on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Armed Forces, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country's army has not and will not have missions beyond defending the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia.
Army Reforms
According to the Prime Minister, the Armenian army has undergone a difficult development process, facing numerous challenges, but is currently undergoing transformation, and its defense capability is steadily increasing.
Pashinyan noted that significant investments have been made in the armed forces in recent years and a number of reforms have been implemented.
Certification and Pay Increase
He named the voluntary certification program, which has allowed for an increase in pay for military personnel based on their professional qualifications, as one of the key reforms. According to the Prime Minister, tens of thousands of military personnel receive 30-100% higher pay than before the introduction of the performance evaluation system. Some enlisted personnel in the army earn approximately 700,000 drams, while officers' pay can exceed 1-2 million drams.
Arms Purchases
Pashinyan reported that significant quantities of modern weapons and military equipment have been acquired in recent years, emphasizing that the army had never been equipped to this level before.
"Significant financial resources were allocated for this, as the acquired equipment is expensive and was supplied in large quantities," the Prime Minister said.
CSTO and the Events of 2022
He also stated that in previous years, international partners refused to sell weapons to Armenia, citing concerns about their possible use outside the country's internationally recognized territory, as well as Armenia's membership in the CSTO.
The Prime Minister recalled that "as of September 2022, CSTO partners refused to fulfill their treaty obligations to ensure the security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia," or to supply the weapons already paid for.
He described the current situation as an existential threat to the state.
Political Agreements in Prague
Pashinyan stated that this "mortal danger" was overcome following the agreement reached on October 6, 2022, in Prague, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan recognized each other's territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, as well as the freezing of Armenia's membership in the CSTO.
According to him, this strategy will be continued.
Military Tasks and Border Issues
The head of government emphasized that the Armenian army is focused exclusively on defending the internationally recognized territory of 29,743 square kilometers, with the exception of participation in peacekeeping missions under international treaties.
He also stated that the issue of the occupied territories will be resolved within the framework of the border delimitation and demarcation process with Azerbaijan, based on the regulations for the joint activities of the relevant commissions.
Programs for Military Personnel
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the "Fatherland Defense" program, which provides conscripts with the opportunity to transfer to contract service, receive increased pay, and live at home during their service.
He also noted the reduction of the mandatory military service period from 24 to 18 months and the large-scale fortification work along the country's borders.
Security Assessment and Prospects
The message emphasized that, according to the Prime Minister, Armenia is not preparing for war, as peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which he called the most reliable guarantee of security.
Pashinyan also noted that the army's development will continue, as the army is one of the most important institutions of the state, and it is crucial to have a strong, defensible army to counter potential future threats in cases where diplomacy fails to prevent them.
"A country without a strong army is vulnerable and can become a target of aggression. The Republic of Armenia should never be like that," he stated.
Army Reforms
According to the Prime Minister, the Armenian army has undergone a difficult development process, facing numerous challenges, but is currently undergoing transformation, and its defense capability is steadily increasing.
Pashinyan noted that significant investments have been made in the armed forces in recent years and a number of reforms have been implemented.
Certification and Pay Increase
He named the voluntary certification program, which has allowed for an increase in pay for military personnel based on their professional qualifications, as one of the key reforms. According to the Prime Minister, tens of thousands of military personnel receive 30-100% higher pay than before the introduction of the performance evaluation system. Some enlisted personnel in the army earn approximately 700,000 drams, while officers' pay can exceed 1-2 million drams.
Arms Purchases
Pashinyan reported that significant quantities of modern weapons and military equipment have been acquired in recent years, emphasizing that the army had never been equipped to this level before.
"Significant financial resources were allocated for this, as the acquired equipment is expensive and was supplied in large quantities," the Prime Minister said.
CSTO and the Events of 2022
He also stated that in previous years, international partners refused to sell weapons to Armenia, citing concerns about their possible use outside the country's internationally recognized territory, as well as Armenia's membership in the CSTO.
The Prime Minister recalled that "as of September 2022, CSTO partners refused to fulfill their treaty obligations to ensure the security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia," or to supply the weapons already paid for.
He described the current situation as an existential threat to the state.
Political Agreements in Prague
Pashinyan stated that this "mortal danger" was overcome following the agreement reached on October 6, 2022, in Prague, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan recognized each other's territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, as well as the freezing of Armenia's membership in the CSTO.
According to him, this strategy will be continued.
Military Tasks and Border Issues
The head of government emphasized that the Armenian army is focused exclusively on defending the internationally recognized territory of 29,743 square kilometers, with the exception of participation in peacekeeping missions under international treaties.
He also stated that the issue of the occupied territories will be resolved within the framework of the border delimitation and demarcation process with Azerbaijan, based on the regulations for the joint activities of the relevant commissions.
Programs for Military Personnel
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the "Fatherland Defense" program, which provides conscripts with the opportunity to transfer to contract service, receive increased pay, and live at home during their service.
He also noted the reduction of the mandatory military service period from 24 to 18 months and the large-scale fortification work along the country's borders.
Security Assessment and Prospects
The message emphasized that, according to the Prime Minister, Armenia is not preparing for war, as peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which he called the most reliable guarantee of security.
Pashinyan also noted that the army's development will continue, as the army is one of the most important institutions of the state, and it is crucial to have a strong, defensible army to counter potential future threats in cases where diplomacy fails to prevent them.
"A country without a strong army is vulnerable and can become a target of aggression. The Republic of Armenia should never be like that," he stated.
