MOD plans to extend contracts of “Defender of the Homeland” program beneficiaries
The Ministry of Defense of the RA has announced plans to extend the contracts of participants in the “Defender of the Homeland” (Pashtpan Hayrenyats) program. RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan stated this during an annual year-end press conference.
The Minister noted that the implementation of the program over the last 2.5 years has already yielded new indicators, and significant successes have been recorded for the army.
“I consider this a success for the department and for me personally, as the author of the law,” he said.
Previously, service within the framework of the program lasted 5 years, and beneficiaries who completed their service received a 5 million AMD honorarium. In 2026, the National Assembly will discuss a project by which the contracts of “Defender of the Homeland” program beneficiaries will be extended by an additional 2 and 5 years.
As a result of the new amendment, beneficiaries will receive 1.5 million AMD for 2 years of service, and a 5 million AMD honorarium for serving an additional 5 years. This means that for a total of 10 years, a program participant will be provided with a 10 million AMD honorarium.
The Minister mentioned that this step will encourage the strengthening of the program’s foundation and ensure the stable continuity of a professional army. Currently, there are 4,234 servicemen who are beneficiaries of the program. From the summer conscription alone, 906 applications have already been received, and Papikyan expressed hope that by the end of the contract-signing process, that number will increase by another 200.