On November 13, during discussions in the National Assembly on the 2025 draft state budget, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan announced plans to bolster the country’s Armed Forces through increased recruitment and educational reforms. Over the next two years, he expects to see a significant rise in the enlistment of officers and highly qualified personnel, driven by recently implemented programs.

Papikyan underscored the government's commitment to equipping the military with well-educated and skilled personnel, emphasizing that this remains a central priority. “Several initiatives have been introduced over the past two years, and we are poised to see our Armed Forces strengthened in the years ahead,” he stated.

Among the reforms, Papikyan highlighted a new housing policy providing renovated three-room service apartments in Yerevan for officers upon graduation. Additionally, a revised compensation system for cadets in military academies has been introduced, with performance-based allowances ranging from 15,000 drams (36.46 euros) to 175,000 drams (425.47 euros), depending on the cadet’s course level and achievements.

Addressing territorial disputes, Papikyan reiterated that Armenia has not sought a military solution to reclaim approximately 200 square kilometers of sovereign territory currently controlled by Azerbaijan. Instead, he emphasized that ongoing border delimitation talks offer a peaceful path to resolution. “Our reforms, expenditures, and investments in the military are all directed toward a single goal: building a professional, modern, and combat-ready army capable of defending the 29,743 square kilometers of the Republic of Armenia’s sovereign territory. This is the sole mission entrusted to the army, and it is our duty to fulfill it,” Papikyan declared.

The Defense Minister also tackled the sensitive issue of military conscription, calling for the "lustration" of officials who use their influence to exempt their sons from service. He raised concerns over citizens encouraging their children to renounce Armenian citizenship to avoid conscription, describing it as a persistent problem. “There are cases where Armenian citizens take all possible measures to have their children renounce citizenship to evade military service. I have proposed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that we begin addressing this issue by targeting those within the state administration,” Papikyan stated.

Papikyan stressed that state officials should not abuse their positions to exempt their own children or close relatives from military service, asserting that such practices must be actively curbed to uphold the integrity of the Armed Forces.