Public Council Discusses the Improvement of Drones and Robotics in Armenia

On January 12, 2023, an extended meeting of the Financial and Budgetary Issues Committee of the Public Council of Armenia took place, focusing on the enhancement of drones and intelligent robotics in Armenia, as well as the study of foreign best practices in these fields.

The meeting was attended by the President of the Public Council of Armenia, Styopa Safaryan, the Chair of the Financial and Budgetary Issues Committee and a member of the Public Council, Vazgen Safaryan, member Gabriel Jemberjyan, Advisor to the Minister of Defense Arsen Taroyan, Deputy Chairman of the Military-Industrial Committee of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry Artom Ghevondyan, former aviation advisor to the Prime Minister Hakob Jagharyan, Professor Naira Hovakimyan from the University of Illinois at Champaign, General Director of the Yerevan Mathematical Machines Plant Rafael Sahakyan, as well as experts and entrepreneurs from the high-tech sector.

The President of the Public Council, Styopa Safaryan, opened the meeting by highlighting the significance of the recent establishment of sections on nanotechnology, dual-use engineering, and artificial intelligence at the Faculty of Physics of Yerevan State University, underlining their importance in creating a new quality of military industry in Armenia.

During the discussion, issues were raised regarding the increase of state support for the military-industrial sector, promotion of UAV production, studying international leading experiences to create a knowledge-based economy, aligning Armenian aviation and military industries with international standards, and other related matters. An active exchange of ideas occurred, and it was agreed to continue further discussions, with the aim of presenting a completed concept to the Government for review.