By Elen Muradyan
Armenia’s ruling party has introduced a legislative proposal to reform the country’s conscription system, aiming to curb widespread draft evasion and boost military preparedness amid persistent security tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan.
The bill, presented by Civil Contract party MP Hayk Sargsyan, proposes raising the upper age limit for mandatory military service from 27 to 37 years. It also seeks to significantly increase the financial penalty for those seeking to avoid conscription. Currently, Armenian men who reach age 27 without serving can pay a fee of approximately 15 million drams ($38,000) to avoid prosecution. Under the proposed reform, this amount would apply from the age of 18 onward for those seeking to bypass service legally.
The initiative also introduces a new three-tiered structure for fulfilling military obligations. The first option allows conscripts to serve the full 24-month term with increased state remuneration. The second permits a shortened six-month service in exchange for a payment of $38,000. A third option offers a one-month symbolic service period for a higher fee of about $51,000.
According to Sargsyan, the goal is to strengthen both the fairness and functionality of the system. “Only 30 to 40 percent of eligible Armenian men actually serve in the military,” he said during a press briefing. “This gap has a major impact on national security and public trust in the system.”
Armenia mandates two years of compulsory military service for all able-bodied men starting at age 18. Until 2017, university students could delay their service indefinitely, but that year, the government abolished general academic deferments. Students must now either sign a contract to serve three years after graduation or be drafted like others.
The country’s draft laws have multiple loopholes which many exploit. According to Sargsyan, one common method is renouncing Armenian citizenship before the age of 18. From 2020 to 2024, 8,721 male citizens took this route. Another tactic involves leaving Armenia for education or medical treatment abroad and not returning until reaching the age of exemption. Between 2010 and 2024, over 2,500 criminal cases related to draft evasion were dismissed simply because the individuals had aged out of liability, which currently ends at 37.
The majority of legal exemptions are granted on health grounds. Sargsyan noted that over 80 percent of deferments or exemptions are based on medical certificates. While some are legitimate, the high rate has raised concerns about abuse. The new proposal includes measures to tighten oversight of health-related exemptions and it would criminalize refusal to undergo the mandatory medical evaluation.
The bill also targets young Armenians abroad who renounce citizenship before reaching draft age. It proposes a $38,000 fee for those under 18 seeking to forfeit citizenship, matching the cost imposed on those who avoid service later in life.
Currently, Armenian citizens may be exempted from military service under certain conditions. These include admission to one of the world’s top 50 universities, as defined by global rankings, exceptional achievement in sports or culture, or health conditions deemed incompatible with military duty. However, the government is considering revisions to these criteria to ensure that more citizens contribute, even in non-combat roles.
The timing of the legislative push reflects heightened defense concerns following Armenia’s 2020 war with Azerbaijan and ongoing border tensions. Authorities argue that increasing the conscription age and strengthening enforcement mechanisms are necessary steps to ensure sufficient manpower and improve equity in military obligations.
The proposed legislation is currently under review in the National Assembly. If passed, it would represent the most comprehensive overhaul of Armenia’s conscription framework in over a decade.
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