YEREVAN. – The program of Armat laboratories started in Armenia in 2014, and in 2014-2017, Armat laboratories were financed 188 million drams from the state budget of, and in 2018 and 2019, 1 billion 296 million drams was financed from the state budget. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this at today's Cabinet meeting.

"Next, before the revolution, again in three years, 220 engineering laboratories (…) were opened in Armenia, whereas 255 Armat laboratories were opened after the revolution," Pashinyan added. “That is to say, we have opened more than double, we have increased funding about 10 times, and today people are accusing us of creating a problem with the Armat laboratories.

And what is the problem? The problem is in something very simple. Today we have 575 laboratories acquired from one organization. And we say we should take a moment to pause at this time, analyze how this system works, and we should avoid purchases from one person. As a result of these analyzes, we have to submit a technical task and thereafter, we shall conduct these laboratories on a competitive basis."