Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has presented a six-step plan aimed at achieving what he describes as “real peace,” including a significant increase in defense spending.
Speaking as head of the Wings of Unity political initiative, Tatoyan stated that Armenia’s military should be funded at no less than 8% of GDP, which would raise the defense budget by approximately $1 billion, according to Aysor.am .
He said the first step would be the creation of a special military reform commission on the very first day in office, operating under the prime minister with a six-month mandate.
“The commission will present a clear program and will also have an ongoing monitoring mechanism,” he said.
The second step предусматривает установление конкретных сроков и подотчетности для комиссии.
According to Tatoyan, the goal is to demonstrate deterrence capabilities within the first years of governance and achieve military balance with neighboring countries by the end of the first term, with a focus on army reform and modernization.
The third step concerns state investments in security.
“Before the commission presents its program, an immediate legal amendment will establish that defense spending cannot be less than 8% of GDP. This will increase the army’s budget by $1 billion. Additionally, $500 million of that amount will be allocated to developing the military-industrial complex and supporting local organizations,” he said.
The fifth step focuses on truth and accountability.
“Immediately after coming to power, we will publish two key reports: the National Assembly’s investigative report on the April 2016 four-day war, which was never released, and the report on the 2020 44-day war. It is clear that by withholding, especially, the latter report, the authorities are trying to conceal their failures,” Tatoyan stated.
The sixth step relates to “smart borders and digital defense.”
“We will promote the creation of a modern army with minimal reliance on human resources but full utilization of advanced equipment. Developing intelligence capabilities will be crucial,” he said.
Tatoyan also claimed that Azerbaijan had planned to launch an attack against Armenia in March 2025.
He referred to comments by Nerses Kopalyan in an interview with EVN, stating that U.S. intelligence had credible information in early March that Azerbaijan was preparing an attack, particularly toward Syunik. According to Tatoyan, U.S. mediation and the proposed TRIPP initiative prevented the escalation.
Tatoyan argued that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Civil Contract party fail to understand that concessions to a country like Azerbaijan only invite further aggression.
“That state views wars as a tool to maintain power, and this government is following that path. Concessions will only lead to war, and the clearest proof is that despite all concessions from 2020 to 2024, the same real threat persisted,” he said.
He also claimed that proposed constitutional changes are being made under pressure from Azerbaijan.
“It is obvious that Nikol Pashinyan is making this concession as a result of failed policies,” Tatoyan added.
Tatoyan further said that his previously presented evidence of Azerbaijani incursions into Armenia had been confirmed by independent media investigations.
“With that, we proved that Nikol Pashinyan and the Civil Contract party were lying and had concealed these incursions from the public,” he stated.
Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan will participate in the 2026 parliamentary elections with the Wings of Unity initiative, which also includes former State Revenue Committee head Davit Ananyan.
