The bill to reduce the term of mandatory military service is primarily an attempt by the authorities to “earn” political dividends ahead of elections, stated military expert Vitaly Mangasaryan.
“One of the justifications for the necessity of this bill is the authorities’ claim of fulfilling their 2021 election promises, which included transitioning to a professional army. However, such a transition requires comprehensive solutions, such as implementing measures within the framework of a comprehensive defense concept,” Mangasaryan noted.
The concept of comprehensive defense implies that a country’s security is ensured not only by its armed forces but also through the engagement of society and state institutions as a whole. It is based on the principle of universal preparedness, where citizens undergo basic military or defense training, reserves are formed, and a territorial defense system is established. At its core lies the integration of security structures, with the army, police, security services, and rescue units operating under a unified plan. Moreover, defense is not limited to the military sphere: attention is given to the state’s overall resilience, including the protection of critical infrastructure, energy, communications, and information space. Modern defense also encompasses countering cyber threats, information attacks, and economic risks. In times of crisis, the concept envisions mobilizing the resources of society, the economy, and local self-governance, transforming defense into a national endeavor where the army is just one part of a broader system protecting the state and society.
He explained that implementing such a concept could indeed allow for a reduction in mandatory military service terms. However, comprehensive measures to ensure this defense framework have not been realized. Therefore, the legislative initiative to shorten mandatory service cannot be viewed as a strategic move—it is more of a pre-election tactic and an attempt to appease the Azerbaijani side.
“The Prime Minister and his team frequently reiterate the notion that ‘peace must be cultivated, nurtured, and developed.’ Reducing military service is one way to do this. However, this peace is being cultivated unilaterally: Azerbaijan is increasing its armaments and conducting military exercises in various formats, while Armenia, conversely, is pursuing a path of weakening and reducing its army,” he stated.