Armenia's 2026 military budget shows no irregularities-minister
04.11.2025,
08:33
The military budget of Armenia for 2026 shows no irregularities, reflecting a consistent increase in its overall size in recent years, according to Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.
YEREVAN, November 4. /ARKA/. The military budget of Armenia for 2026 shows no irregularities, reflecting a consistent increase in its overall size in recent years, according to Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.
"Aside from the spike in 2025, when our expenditures rose sharply compared to 2024, we are generally observing a steady development pace. There is nothing out of the ordinary here," Papikyan informed reporters on Monday.
The minister indicated that Armenia will persist with military reforms tailored to its requirements, which includes the procurement of weapons and military equipment.
"Nevertheless, the signing of the Washington Declaration on August 8 has become a significant reality that Armenia must acknowledge as a fait accompli along with its implications," Papikyan stressed.
In a prior interview with Public Television, Papikyan mentioned that Armenia is focusing on acquiring only next-generation weapons while also advancing its domestic defense sector. He pointed out that contracts worth around 5.5 billion drams (nearly $14.4 million) were established with Armenian defense industry firms in 2022, a figure that has now escalated to 170 billion drams (about $440 million) for three-year agreements.
He noted that while Armenia's defense budget was 245 billion drams (approximately $640 million) in 2018, it is projected to reach 667 billion drams (around $1.41 billion) by 2025.
The draft state budget for Armenia in 2026 anticipates a nearly 16% decrease in defense expenditures to 560 billion drams (approximately $1.46 billion). The document specifies that defense spending in 2026 will particularly focus on maintaining combat readiness to ensure the strategic deployment of the Armed Forces and safeguarding state borders from external threats.
"Aside from the spike in 2025, when our expenditures rose sharply compared to 2024, we are generally observing a steady development pace. There is nothing out of the ordinary here," Papikyan informed reporters on Monday.
The minister indicated that Armenia will persist with military reforms tailored to its requirements, which includes the procurement of weapons and military equipment.
"Nevertheless, the signing of the Washington Declaration on August 8 has become a significant reality that Armenia must acknowledge as a fait accompli along with its implications," Papikyan stressed.
In a prior interview with Public Television, Papikyan mentioned that Armenia is focusing on acquiring only next-generation weapons while also advancing its domestic defense sector. He pointed out that contracts worth around 5.5 billion drams (nearly $14.4 million) were established with Armenian defense industry firms in 2022, a figure that has now escalated to 170 billion drams (about $440 million) for three-year agreements.
He noted that while Armenia's defense budget was 245 billion drams (approximately $640 million) in 2018, it is projected to reach 667 billion drams (around $1.41 billion) by 2025.
The draft state budget for Armenia in 2026 anticipates a nearly 16% decrease in defense expenditures to 560 billion drams (approximately $1.46 billion). The document specifies that defense spending in 2026 will particularly focus on maintaining combat readiness to ensure the strategic deployment of the Armed Forces and safeguarding state borders from external threats.
