On November 3, during the discussion of legislative amendments on the certification of contract service members in the parliament, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan stated that the Armenian military school, the conventional Soviet one, is not viable on the battlefield. Everything should be done to make the soldier imagine what modern war is.
He also announced that the start of the reforms had been given. "We have assessed and understand that our school, the conventional Soviet school, shows that it is not viable on the battlefield in every war. This is a fact, a reality, and we must face this fact and, of course, make appropriate decisions. Those decisions are happening, and the processes we have started are also about that. Yes, we must do everything so our soldier is ready, imagines what a modern war is, and can conduct a modern battle. Now it is a question of time whether we will take what from whom, how we will adapt, and what hybrid state we will get. But I can assure you that its launch in the Armed Forces is essentially a given," he added.
Papikyan said that the Ministry of Defense proposes to establish additional payments for officers, non-commissioned officers, and rank-and-file soldiers who perform combat tasks or occupy positions with planning or control functions, provided that they pass certification to increase the attractiveness and interest in contract military service. "If the contract soldier wants to continue to receive an additional payment, then after three years, he must pass certification again," he added. "In other words, with this, we are trying to keep the military in shape and ready," the Armenian Defense Minister said.
According to the Minister of Defense, three years have been set for this reform, for which the government will allocate EUR 171 million. The Minister detailed that a regular contract soldier performing combat service receives about EUR 389 as a salary. After certification, he can receive up to EUR 560. And in the case of combat duty, the contract soldier will receive EUR 986 in net salary. If he serves in the special forces, he will receive EUR 1080. "The salary of the military with this status will be at least doubled. And this is very, very serious. After graduating from the university, the lieutenants, besides getting an apartment, will get a net salary of about half a million drams," the Minister emphasized.
Suren Papikyan informed that three different commissions would be created to certify military personnel with different ranks. "Both theoretical and practical knowledge will be tested. According to the minister, in the theoretical part, it is necessary to understand how well the officer can act on the battlefield and how he imagines the solution to the problems presented. And in the practical part, the contract soldier's physical and fire training will be checked," he concluded.
