Pashinyan says debt was necessary for army reforms

The Armenian authorities have taken out loans to implement army reforms and develop the security system, as it required significant financial resources, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Civil Contract Party Nikol Pashinyan said during a meeting with residents of Yerevan’s Arabkir administrative district.

Speaking about army reforms, the social security of servicemen and Armenia’s security policy, Pashinyan said the government had borrowed funds to carry out reforms.

“Yes, we have taken on debt to implement reforms. Why did we take on debt? Because we needed the money urgently and in large amounts,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, Armenia’s public debt remains at an acceptable level by international standards.

Pashinyan compared these investments to families purchasing apartments through mortgage loans.

“In the same way, we have invested in the well-being of our country,” he said.Pashinyan also referred to the military parade scheduled for May 28 in Republic Square, stating that citizens would see an army of a completely new quality there.

He noted that servicemen participating in the “Defender of the Fatherland” program would also take part in the parade.

According to Pashinyan, under the program, 18-year-old young people enter contract service after six months of training and receive salaries ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 drams.

Pashinyan also announced that starting from 2026, all officers graduating from the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy and entering service will receive apartments from the state.

In addition, he said the government had decided to solve the accumulated housing problems of long-serving servicemen and the families of deceased soldiers over the next four years.

Pashinyan added that there are currently servicemen in the Armenian army receiving salaries of up to 700,000 drams.