Conscription age to be raised in Armenia 

ArmInfo.  On May 22, at its regular session, the Armenian government discussed the initiative of the ruling NA faction deputy Hayk Sargsyan on the buyout  of the army, and proposed its own adjustments. 

As a result, the amount of the buyout, compared to the initial draft,  has increased, and the maximum draft age has increased not by 10  years, but by 5. It should be noted that according to the amendments  to the law   proposed by Hayk Sargsyan, conscripts will be able to choose one of  three options: serve one month with a payment of 20 million drams,  six months with a payment of 15 million drams, or serve the full term  - 24 months, while receiving increased allowances at the expense of  funds contributed by other categories of conscripts. And for foreign  citizens who received citizenship at pre-conscription or conscription  age, it was proposed to establish a service period of 12 months or to  pay a state fee of 2.5 million drams. The draft also provides for an  increase in the maximum age for military service from 27 to 37 years.  Another provision provides for a fee of 15 million drams for men who  changed citizenship before the age of 18.

However, according to Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, following the  discussions, certain adjustments were made to the document that were  acceptable to the MP.

As a result, the following proposals were formulated: 24 million  drams (about $62 thousand) will have to be paid for 1 month of  service, 18 million (about $46 thousand) for 4 months of service  (only in the training unit). When announcing each draft, the  government will be able to accept the maximum number of applications  for service, based on the needs of the Defense  Ministry. It is proposed to increase the maximum age limit for  compulsory military service from 27 to 32 years.

According to the minister, the definition of 32 years of age will  affect those who have just turned 18. , - the minister noted. The state duty for renouncing  Armenian citizenship before the age of 16, as proposed, will be set  at 15 million drams.