The first major shipment of NVIDIA Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs) for Armenia’s ambitious Firebird AI megaproject arrived at Zvartnots International Airport on Monday, marking the transition of the initiative into its implementation phase.
Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, and Firebird AI co-founder Alexander Yesayan visited the airport to welcome the shipment, which includes 1,792 GPUs from a total planned deployment of 6,144 NVIDIA Blackwell processors for the project’s first phase.
The initial stage of the project envisages the launch of a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence data center in the city of Hrazdan. The facility will operate with a capacity of approximately 18 megawatts and will be equipped with high-performance computing resources based on NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell architecture.
According to the project developers, the data center will utilize a closed-loop water-cooling system that requires filling only once and can operate for several years, ensuring high energy efficiency and reliable performance.
Investment in the first phase is estimated at approximately $500 million. During the second phase, Firebird AI plans to attract up to $4 billion in additional investments and deploy another 42,000 GPUs. The expansion is expected to position Armenia among the world’s top five countries hosting the most powerful AI data centers.
Upon completion of the first phase, the facility is expected to employ up to 100 highly qualified specialists. More than 1,000 professionals are anticipated to be involved in the construction and expansion work during the second phase, creating a significant number of high-paying jobs in the country’s technology sector.
A key component of the initiative is a $25 million strategic partnership program between the Armenian government and Firebird AI. Under the agreement, the state will receive access to high-performance AI computing resources for a period of five years. These resources will be made available to Armenian startups, research teams, universities, and technology professionals, while also supporting their use in government institutions, technology companies, and research and development programs across the high-tech sector.
The Firebird AI project is regarded as one of the largest technology investments in Armenia’s history and a major step toward strengthening the country’s position in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem.
