Defense Minister Suren Papikyan stated during a cabinet meeting that many parents are revoking their children’s Armenian citizenship specifically to avoid compulsory military service. The meeting also discussed and approved a bill enabling reduced-term military service for a fee.

According to Papikyan, the phenomenon involves thousands of individuals, though he declined to give exact figures citing national security concerns, Aysor.am reports.

Papikyan emphasized that the newly circulated bill on shortened military service is designed to offer equal conditions for all citizens—including those who previously sought to avoid service—allowing them to fulfill a shorter term in the armed forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan also remarked that the issue is both highly sensitive and critically important.

MP Hayk Sargsyan initially proposed that citizens be allowed to complete a reduced term of mandatory military service: 1 month for 20 million AMD or 6 months for 15 million AMD. He also suggested raising the upper conscription age from 27 to 37.

Following a Defense Ministry review, changes were made. The final version proposes:

• 1-month service for 24 million AMD
• 4-month service for 18 million AMD
• Upper conscription age set at 32

The bill will take effect upon approval by the National Assembly.