Rabbi Melamed: “Although the mitzvah of Talmud Torah is equal to all the mitzvot, the basic rule is that any mitzvah that cannot be performed by others’ overrides Talmud Torah (Mo’ed Katan 9a). The same holds true for enlisting in the army. When there are not enough soldiers for Israel’s security, Torah study is cancelled to serve in the army.”
So even according to this eminent Zionist rabbi, if the army has enough soldiers without resorting to drafting those engaged in the mitzvah of Talmud Torah, those who are studying Torah must be exempted from army service to continue their immersion in Talmud Torah.
And it is beyond dispute that the Israeli army has *too many* draftees and certainly has far more than enough soldiers even if the Bnei Yeshiva are exempted.