Armed Forces of Armenia

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia serve as the national military structure responsible for the defence and security of the Armenian state. Emerging from the geopolitical circumstances following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the modern armed forces integrate historical military traditions with contemporary strategic obligations. Armenia’s landlocked geography has shaped its military doctrine, leading to an emphasis on ground and air capabilities while excluding naval development. The military today functions under a centralised command led by the President as Commander-in-Chief, with political leadership vested in the Ministry of Defence and operational authority delegated to the General Staff.

Historical Background

Armenia’s military heritage predates modern statehood and can be traced to the First Republic of Armenia, founded in 1918. In the early twentieth century, Armenian volunteer units and former Imperial Russian Army soldiers formed the nucleus of an organised national force during the Turkish–Armenian War. The Treaty of Batum in 1918 restricted the size of this early army, but Armenian national defence continued to evolve in response to regional conflict and shifting political circumstances.
During the Soviet period, Armenia’s military presence was largely represented by units of the 7th Guards Army, established in 1946 and stationed in Yerevan until 1992. The late Soviet structure included several motor rifle divisions located in key Armenian cities. Air defence responsibilities were carried out by formations of the 14th Air Defence Corps. The Armenian national military began to take shape in the final years of the Soviet Union, particularly as tension escalated in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Beginning in 1990, Armenian militias formed to confront Azerbaijani forces, paving the way for a structured national defence force.

Formation of the Modern Armed Forces (1992 onwards)

Armenia formally established its Ministry of Defence in January 1992. One of the earliest units created under this institutional framework was the 1st Airborne Regiment, whose personnel took the inaugural oath to the Republic later that year. Simultaneously, a State Committee of Defence was responsible for coordinating national defence efforts during the transition from Soviet administration.
Early development focused on transforming volunteer fighters into trained officers. A specialist centre was founded to provide officer qualifications, eventually producing approximately 1,500 graduates, while the School of Non-Commissioned Officers trained around 1,000 NCOs. Armenia also joined international arms control frameworks, including the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, demonstrating a commitment to military transparency and regulation.
As part of broader reforms following state independence, Armenia established Internal Troops from former Soviet interior units. By 2002, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was reorganised into separate security structures, including the National Security Service and the national Police.

Structure and Organisation

The Armed Forces of Armenia are headquartered in Yerevan, where the General Staff oversees operational planning, command, and joint coordination of the force’s two principal branches: the Ground Forces and the Air Force. Additional branches support critical wartime and peacetime functions. These include departments for military preparedness, armaments, engineering troops, air defence, missile forces, intelligence, medical services, mobilisation, communications, and logistics.
The President of Armenia acts as Commander-in-Chief, while the Minister of Defence provides governmental leadership. Operational command is exercised by the Chief of the General Staff. Due to Armenia’s landlocked status, no naval branch exists. Border security has historically been shared: Armenian border guards maintain frontiers with Georgia and Azerbaijan, while Russian border troops oversee borders with Iran and Turkey under bilateral agreements.

Ground Forces

Armenia’s Ground Forces constitute the largest element of the military. Equipment holdings include a combination of Soviet-era and more modern systems, such as T-80, T-72, and T-55 series tanks; BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles; BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles; and various armoured personnel carriers. Although modernisation efforts have been supported through procurement and strategic partnerships, older systems remain in service, creating logistical challenges in maintenance and readiness.
Strategic reforms aim to balance traditional mechanised units with lighter, more mobile formations capable of operating in mountainous terrain. Capacity building addresses both external defence requirements and participation in peacekeeping commitments abroad. These reforms reflect Armenia’s intent to maintain deterrence against conventional threats while increasing operational flexibility.

Development, Readiness, and International Cooperation

Since the 1990s, Armenia has prioritised building a professional and well-trained military force. Reports from regional security studies in the early 2000s suggested that Armenia possessed comparatively strong combat capabilities among South Caucasus militaries. Observations from international military exercises within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which Armenia joined in 2002, have also highlighted the effectiveness of Armenian units.
The army is divided into Active Forces and Reserve Forces. Active Forces comprise deployment units, immediate reaction elements, and main defensive formations. Their responsibilities include crisis response, peace support, and border defence. Reserve Forces oversee territorial defence, mobilisation preparedness, training, and equipment storage, ensuring depth and continuity in national defence planning.
Military cooperation extends beyond the CSTO. Armenia has taken part in international arms control regimes such as the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Bilateral agreements, such as the 2015 military cooperation plan with Lebanon, further demonstrate Armenia’s openness to international defence partnerships.

Air Force and Air Defence

The Armenian Air Force complements ground operations through transport capability, reconnaissance, and limited offensive roles. Air defence remains a critical component of national security, reflecting the significance of protecting airspace in a geographically constrained region. The legacy of Soviet air defence infrastructure remains influential, as does cooperation with Russian military units stationed in the country.
Armenia’s air defence forces incorporate radar systems, anti-aircraft artillery, and surface-to-air missile systems. Being integrated into joint early-warning arrangements provides additional security against regional aerial threats.

Border Security and Strategic Context

Armenia’s geopolitical environment continues to shape its military posture. Borders with Azerbaijan remain sensitive due to unresolved territorial disputes, necessitating substantial defence allocations and a vigilant operational stance. At the same time, longstanding cooperation with Russian forces contributes to Armenia’s broader defensive architecture, especially along its southern and western borders.