Mandatory military service reduced to 1.5 years: NA approves decision in first reading

The term of compulsory military service in Armenia will be reduced from two years to one and a half years. The National Assembly adopted the decision in its first reading, with 66 deputies voting in favor, 4 against, and 22 abstaining.

The change means that the current 24-month service requirement for conscripts will be shortened to 18 months. The new rule will apply to citizens drafted for compulsory military service after January 1, 2026.

According to the government’s draft decision on the 2025 winter conscription, the actual process of replenishing the Armed Forces under that conscription period will begin on January 7, 2026. As a result, those drafted during the 2025 winter call-up will serve for 18 months.

The reduction will not apply to individuals already serving compulsory military duty as of January 1, 2026.