Armenia shortens mandatory military service duration

The National Assembly approved the service reduction bill during its final reading today, with implementation scheduled for next year. Since January, young Armenians will serve in the army for one and a half years instead of two.

Parliamentary voting recorded 65 affirmative votes, 4 opposing votes from nationalist "I Have the Honor" faction members, and 20 abstentions from "Armenia" faction representatives.

The Defense Ministry proposed the reform this autumn, anticipating decreased conscript numbers balanced by expanded contract soldier recruitment.