Eduard Musayelyan, Executive Director of the Union of Employers of ICT Companies, stated that Armenia, despite its small size, possesses significant scientific and engineering potential. He highlighted that Armenian scientists and engineers have developed solutions for various countries and sectors for decades, with a current aim to focus this potential on creating new companies, jobs, and industries. Musayelyan emphasized the evolving role of the military-industrial complex, not just in defense but as a key driver of technological development, citing the Internet and GPS as examples of military-originated technologies now widely used in civilian life. He asserted that competitive advantage now lies within military-industrial technologies, underscoring the need for Armenia to develop its own science, research centers, and military-industrial capabilities. This was discussed at the RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 event, organized by the Union of Information and Communication Technologies Employers (UEICT), which aims to showcase Armenian technological products, innovations, and projects.