Papikyan presented the dynamics of defense expenditure growth: what are the actual figures?
During an annual year-end press conference, the Minister of Defense of the RA, Suren Papikyan, conducted a comparison between the defense sector indicators of 2018 and 2025, addressing both the increase in expenditures and the reforms implemented in the field.
According to the Minister, in 2018, which coincides with the year of the Velvet Revolution, defense sector expenditures amounted to 245 billion AMD, whereas in 2025, this figure reached 664 billion AMD, equivalent to approximately 1 billion 741 million USD. Papikyan noted that, as a result, defense funding has increased by about 1.1 billion USD.
In his assessment, the comparison with the year of the revolution is crucial, as defense funding is often subject to criticism and speculation. The Minister emphasized that the presented figures demonstrate a significant growth in sector expenditures and contradict claims that the defense sector is underfunded. He characterized 2025 as a highly efficient year in terms of both expenditures made and programs implemented, stressing the intention to continue working with the same logic in 2026.
According to Papikyan, 2025 was also significant in terms of reforms. Specifically, he mentioned the reduction of mandatory term military service, considering it a pivotal step in the history of the Third Republic of Armenia. Addressing criticisms, the Minister stated that this initiative became possible as a result of the reforms carried out in the defense sector. He also reported that compared to 2023, the conscription indicator in 2025 grew by 19 percent.
Earlier, it was also announced that in 2026, defense sector funding would be reduced by approximately 39.8 billion AMD or 5.9 percent compared to 2025.
According to state budget data, defense sector expenditures were 245.173 billion AMD in 2018, 307.983 billion in 2019, 308.862 billion in 2020, 313.123 billion in 2021, 346.779 billion in 2022, 519.523 billion in 2023, 556.193 billion in 2024, and 667.052 billion AMD in 2025. For 2026, defense expenditures are projected at 567.513 billion AMD.