Georgian Defence Minister leaves for France to sign a new deal on purchase of air-defence systems
Defence Minister Levan Izoria did not provide details about the anti-air systems Georgia intends to buy. Photo: Defence Ministry press office.
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Georgian Defence Minister will leave for France tomorrow to sign a new deal with the country for the purchase of air-defence systems.
Izoria stated today that the Defence Ministry budget was increased by 20 per cent this year, which provides the opportunities to sign one more deal with France regarding the systems which will boost Georgia’s self-defense capabilities.
At the beginning of the year we purchased anti-tank systems [from US]. Now I am leaving for France to sign a new deal about the anti-air systems as this is one of the priority directions for the ministry. We have already received the first wave of anti-air systems and made them active,” Izoria said.
The minister also spoke about the activities carried out by his body in 2018. He stated that:
- This year the Georgian Defence Readiness Program was launched.
- A new military readiness center was built.
- A new military hospital was built in western Georgia.
- Salaries were increased for 2,500 servicemen and the process will continue until 2020 and cover 10,000 soldiers.
- Speaking about future goals Izoria stated that the next year NATO-Georgia joint drills will be conducted.
The Acting Defence Minister Levan Izoria told lawmakers today that in the near future Georgia will receive the most modern, man-portable air defence system- FIM-92 Stingers from the United States.Izoria said that together with Javelins the new systems will significantly empower the country’s self-defence capabilities.
The United States Congress has consented to the sale of a man-portable anti-tank system to Georgia, says Georgia’s Defence Minister Levan Izoria. Izoria announced the news as he spoke in front of several parliamentary committees today.
Georgia’s airspace will be increasingly protected over the next two years under an agreement with France that includes providing the Georgian Armed Forces with new air defence equipment and personnel training.
Minister of Defence of France Jean-Yves Le Drian has promised France will help Georgia strengthen the country’s ability to defend itself.
Minister of Defence of Georgia Levan Izoria has signed an agreement with his French colleague Florence Parly on the purchase of an air defence management and control system.
The French president has signed an agreement ratified by the country’s legislative body which will allow a certain category of Georgian citizens to receive temporary residency permits and work legally in the country. The agreement covers both the employment of Georgians in France and French citizens in Georgia.
Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria says that Georgia has already purchased all US anti-tank Javelin missiles which were required for the country and all of them have been transported to Georgia.
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia has responded to rumours that the purchase of a French air defence system has been partially delayed because of the budget of the ministry which has been decreased by 75 million GEL.