First NVIDIA Blackwell shipment arrives in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The first major shipment for the Firebird AI megaproject has arrived at Zvartnots International Airport, consisting of 1,792 GPUs from a total planned deployment of 6,144 NVIDIA Blackwell-generation graphics processors. The announcement was made on Facebook by High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.

The first phase of the project предусматривает the launch in Hrazdan of a modern “AI factory” with a capacity of about 18 MW, powered by high-performance computing resources based on NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture.

The data center will use a closed-loop water-cooling system that is filled once and then utilized for several years, ensuring high energy efficiency and reliable operation.

Investment in the first phase amounts to approximately $500 million. During the second phase, up to $4 billion in additional investment is expected to be attracted, along with the deployment of roughly 42,000 more graphics processors. The expansion is intended to place Armenia among the world’s top five countries hosting the most powerful AI data centers.

Following the launch of the first phase, the center is expected to employ up to 100 highly qualified specialists. More than 1,000 specialists are expected to be involved in the construction and expansion works during the second phase, creating new high-paying jobs.

A key component of the project is a $25 million strategic program signed between the Armenian government and Firebird AI. Under the agreement, the state will receive access to high-performance AI computing resources for five years to support Armenian startups, research groups, universities and specialists, as well as to facilitate their use in government institutions, technology companies and research and development programs in high-tech sectors.