Is there anything behind Armenian nuclear game?

There’s been a lot of noise coming out of Armenia lately about modernizing its nuclear power sector and working with new international partners. A shiny $3.4 million U.S.-funded simulator just launched to help train operators—but that’s about as far as things have gone.

Despite all the talk, Armenia hasn’t made any real moves toward changing its aging nuclear infrastructure. The equipment, fuel, and expertise still come from the same sources as before. The flashy announcements are piling up, but the groundwork? Not so much.

Some observers think this might be more about appearances than actual change. By playing up foreign cooperation, Armenia could be trying to position itself as a serious player in nuclear discussions—without the resources, experience, or funding to back it up.

At the end of the day, it looks like Armenia is testing the waters, hoping to drive down the cost of services offered by its longtime partners—without committing to anything real. A lot of talk, not a lot of traction.

They have 1 nuclear power plant dating to 1976 that supplies 40% of their energy. It is about a decade beyond the average lifespan so they better get a move on.