Military counterintelligence is a function carried out within the powers of the national security bodies aimed at disclosure, prevention and suppression intelligence activities in relation to the Armed Forces and other military structures of the Republic of Armenia by special services and other organizations, as well as individuals of foreign states. Military counterintelligence is one of the main directions of activities of the national security bodies. According to the RA Law “On National Security Bodies”, “Military counterintelligence activities are carried out by military counterintelligence bodies (services, divisions, departments) of the authorized body in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, the Police Troops of the Republic of Armenia and other troops and military formations, as well as in their management bodies in order to detect, prevent and suppress crimes, the investigation of which is assigned to their jurisdiction, to protect against the penetration of special services of foreign states, as well as to assist the command in maintaining combat capability and combat readiness.

The legal basis for the activities of the bodies of the MCI of the NSS of RA is the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the Laws of the Republic of Armenia “On National Security Bodies”, “On Operative-Search Activities”, “On State and Official Secrets”, the relevant Decree of the Government of RA on ensuring the regime of secrecy in RA, the Statute of the NSS of RA, approved joint orders of the RA Ministry of Defense and the RA NSS, internal (local) acts of the NSS of RA, etc.

According to the Decree of the Government of RA dated 6 June, 1995 No. 496, the bodies of the MCI of the NSS of RA operate as a separate body of the NSS, and before that they functioned as part of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia.

In the current complex geopolitical and regional situation, the bodies of the MCI of the NSS of RA are successfully fulfilling the functions assigned to them by the legislation, distinguished by the disclosure of high-profile crimes that threaten the national-state security of RA. It is no secret that the Armed Forces of RA are the primary target of foreign special services.