On November 3, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of Armenia, addressed multiple issues including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statements, defense spending, military reforms, and Armenia’s cooperation with the United States during a conversation with journalists in parliament. Commenting on President Aliyev’s remarks, Papikyan stated, "I don’t make it a habit to comment on things I haven’t heard or read". He assured that he would review Aliyev’s statements and respond if necessary. The minister noted a change in tone from Baku, emphasizing, "After August 8, Azerbaijan’s rhetoric has softened and changed, which is also evident at the border. And when we talk about peace, this is not fiction; it is reality". When asked why President Aliyev had declined to visit Armenia, Papikyan replied, "You want me to answer the question for the President of Azerbaijan? I don’t have an answer".

Addressing reports about his alleged advisor, Arshak Ordukhanyan, who was accused of forming a criminal group and subsequently arrested, Papikyan denied the existence of such an advisor. "First, clarify whether Defense Minister Suren Papikyan had such an advisor, and then repeat your question," he told journalists, adding, "I have information about the activities of my subordinates, but you don’t have information about the fact that I don’t have such an advisor". Papikyan also refuted claims made in the Indian press that Armenia intended to purchase Su-30-M aircraft from India.

Turning to the 2026 state budget, the minister addressed the reduction in defense expenditures compared to 2025, explaining that the figures reflected a return to regular spending levels after a sharp increase in 2025. "The 2026 budget, compared to the trend of budget increases in previous years, is in line with the trend of increasing our overall budget and contains no irregularities," he stated. "These are priority expenses, and you can see this difference in 2026 spending. Compared to 2024, this is a natural growth rate. There is nothing unusual here". He added that Armenia would continue defense reforms and the procurement of weapons and equipment according to its needs, stressing that "August 8 is an important reality, and we cannot ignore it as a fait accompli. Naturally, this will have its consequences".

Speaking about the modernization of army uniforms, Papikyan said the process was proceeding according to plan. "The process is proceeding as normal. I also released some information about this after my recent trip to the United States. We expect the first samples of the field uniform this year," he noted. According to the minister, several thousand prototypes would undergo military and field testing before a full-scale uniform replacement for the army. When asked whether there were any agreements with the United States regarding arms supplies, ammunition, or military assistance, Papikyan replied cautiously: "I can’t talk about any agreements. But I can say that there’s quite a positive trend in the development of our cooperation. I won’t say anything more".