Georgia buys military air defence system from France

Georgia will purchase a military air defence system from France – and the corresponding contract has already been signed.

The agreement was signed by Georgia’s Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli at the Paris Air Show today.

The 51st edition of the world's oldest air show brought together players from military and civil aviation. Today was reserved for trade visitors before the show opens to the public later this week.

Khidasheli said the "important contract” she signed today would significantly increase Georgia’s security and defence capabilities.

"The contract terms are maximally beneficial for our country,” she said, but did not specify what benefits the agreement would offer.

She also thanked two former Defence Ministers of Georgia, Mindia Janelidze and Irakli Alasania, for beginning this process, which she "was honoured to finish successfully”.

While in France, Khidasheli will meet her French counterpart later today.

Georgia launched negotiations to acquire a military air defence system a year ago, when then-Defence Minister Alasania said: "Over the past 22 years, air defence has been our 'Achilles' heel”.