ArmInfo. The development and modernization of the armed forces are areas in which the Armenian government is consistently working. This was stated by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan from the podium of the National Assembly on November 13. According to him, the programs being implemented in the defense sector are extremely important for every citizen of the country.
The minister recalled that the draft 2026 state budget will allocate 563.1 billion drams for defense needs, 59.3% of which will be allocated for capital expenditures. A significant portion of this expenditure is intended to be used to equip forward positions with new, modern weaponry. This, the minister noted, significantly improves the safety of both military personnel on combat duty and the state border as a whole. "Expanding military-technical ties and diversifying armaments are among the key pillars of Armenia's security architecture. And it is in line with this logic that work aimed at modernizing the Armed Forces continues," Papikyan said.
The local military industry, according to the minister, is also a focus for the Ministry of Defense. "In 2022, we signed a contract with local defense industry enterprises worth approximately 5.5 billion drams. As a result of subsequent three-year contracts, this amount was increased to 171 billion drams," the head of the Armenian Defense Ministry said. The Minister of Defense emphasized that Armenia will use its weapons and army for only one purpose: to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state.
Overall, Papikyan noted, from 2018 to 2025, Armenia's defense budget increased by $1.1 billion, reaching 676 billion drams. Among other things, purchases from local equipment manufacturers have increased: in 2022, they amounted to 5.5 billion drams, compared to 171 billion ($444 million) this year. The minister noted that the slight reduction in the military budget for 2026 was due to a significant increase in 2025.
Speaking about the certification of military personnel, Papikyan reported that 64% of service members have already passed it, which has allowed for a significant increase in salaries.
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