The planned “local defense forces” would replace a nationwide militia that was supposedly set up in the country during the 2020 war with Azerbaijan.
The militia, proposed by the Armenian Defense Ministry shortly before the outbreak of the disastrous war, was due be formed on a territorial basis in Yerevan and towns and villages across the country and comprise units commanded by deputy heads of relevant local governments. Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsian essentially admitted on Wednesday that no such units have been created and no local officials appointed to head them since then, despite the legal requirement. He gave no clear reason for that.
Sargsian addressed members of the Armenian parliament committee on defense and security as he presented a government bill on the “local defense forces.” They would consist of residents of particular border communities tasked with defending them against foreign aggression. The volunteer forces subordinate to relevant army units would undergo regular training in times of peace.
The new auxiliary force would not be a substitute for a possible wartime mobilization of Armenian army reservists. The army called up thousands of such reservists during the 2020 war.