New Unit Being Established in the Ministry of Defense

On September 30, an agreement was signed in the administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia regarding the establishment of the "1991 Unit" between the Ministry of Defense, the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), and the Cybersecurity Center Foundation "Hay Tech." The agreement was signed by Armenian Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan, Armen Orujyan (FAST), and Levon Petrosyan ("Hay Tech").

The aim of the "1991 Unit" project is to provide opportunities for continuous education, multidisciplinary development, and acquisition of professional skills for individuals serving in the military. The project includes the establishment of a new special unit within the Armenian Armed Forces that will enable the implementation of scientific research projects and analyses aimed at solving both daily and mid-to-long-term challenges.

Service members of the "1991 Unit" will acquire fundamental and practical knowledge and skills, which will allow them to find employment in relevant divisions of the Ministry of Defense after their discharge, continuing to apply and further develop their acquired knowledge. They will also have opportunities to find jobs in leading high-tech companies and participate in the work of research laboratories.

According to the memorandum, the FAST Foundation is assigned to implement substantive support for the project. FAST will conduct preparatory courses in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence for individuals of conscription age, enabling recruits to be better prepared for service in the "1991 Unit." FAST will also be engaged in the development and organization of training courses, implementation of research projects, and project management.

According to the project timeline, the first two years will focus on creating a sustainable mechanism for maximizing the utilization and development of recruits' capabilities. Over three years, it is planned to increase the number of program participants to 300 and to conduct a number of research projects, while within five years, the commercialization of the results is expected.