A New External Counterintelligence Unit to be Established in the NSS: What will it do?
A new external counterintelligence unit will be established in the National Security Service (NSS) of the Republic of Armenia in the near future. A decision on this matter was adopted at the government session on November 6.
The External Counterintelligence Unit will operate based on the NSS General Department of Intelligence and will engage in both external and general counterintelligence activities. It will also be responsible for ensuring the security of Armenian diplomatic missions operating in foreign countries.
The amendments also propose allowing citizens over the age of 30 to serve in the NSS Border Troops, special units, and positions requiring high professional qualifications.
Furthermore, it is planned to clarify the format of cooperation between the NSS Counterintelligence and the RA Foreign Intelligence Service.
The new unit will be granted access to the information databases of state and local structures, including in remote mode.
The formation of the new unit is conditioned by the ” Law on Foreign Intelligence Activities and the Foreign Intelligence Service,” adopted in 2022, which regulates the activities of Armenia’s foreign intelligence system.