In 2023, the spending in the defense sector of Armenia will increase by 113 percent, or by 270 billion drams, compared to 2018; defense spending in 2023 will amount to 509 billion drams, or $1.2 billion. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced this in the National Assembly, at Wednesday’s joint session of parliamentary standing committees, during the latter’s debates on the draft 2023 state budget of Armenia.

"We have undertaken the process of army reforms, a number of legislative amendments have already been sent to the National Assembly; I hope they will be passed in the near future. Their purpose is to first set a standard, and secondly, to set a standard salary," he said.

According to Pashinyan, the objective and meaning of this whole process is a transition to a professional army in Armenia, as well as to increase its defense capability.

"Let me stress in particular that the significant increase and reforms of spending in the defense sector, our goal of transitioning to a professional army, do not in any way contradict the peace agenda adopted by Armenia’s government.

The army is one of the most important institutions of the state, which should be established. We have a task to have an army of high standards, which on the other hand does not contradict the peace agenda in any way. Armenia will consistently advance the declared peace agenda," said Pashinyan.