UK flies advanced military plane to Georgia
Wounded soldiers’ gifted valuable sporting gear

The United Kingdom has delivered a special gift to Georgian soldiers wounded in battle via one of the most modern and technically advanced military planes in operation.

The soldiers, wounded in various international peacekeeping missions, gathered at Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport this morning and watched British crew deliver sitting volleyball equipment to their Georgian partners.

The gear was transported from the UK by an Airbus A400M – one of the most unique and expensive aircrafts worldwide. Airbus has only created 14 such aircrafts, while 174 orders have been placed.

The plane is regarded as "the most versatile airlifter currently available” and can carry out many functions, ranging from mid-air refuelling to long range, high speed, low altitude flights. The plane has a capacity of 37 tonnes, meaning it can carry heavy and oversized loads previously unable to be transported by air.  

The Airbus A400M was launched in 2003 to respond to the combined needs of seven European nations: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK, with Malaysia later joining in 2005. The first aircraft's maiden flight took place on December 11, 2009.

Fitted with state-of-the-art technology, having this plane visit Georgia was a real coup.

The plane landed on Tbilisi soil last night and a special ceremony was held today to deliver the sporting goods to the Georgian wounded soldiers.

British crew delivered sitting volleyball equipment to Georgian wounded soldiers. Photo by Ministry of Defence of Georgia. 

Earlier today UK Defence Attaché for the South Caucasus Lieutenant-Colonel Nick Wilkes handed the sports gear to the Georgian side, noting he was happy to be in Georgia and praised the efforts and professionalism of the Georgian soldiers.

The UK and Georgia’s Defence Ministry are closely cooperating. I am happy that the UK government is involved in activities to encourage an active life of the wounded soldiers. 

I also welcome the creation of a special department under Georgia’s Ministry of Defence for wounded soldiers and their families,” the British official stated. 

The department will support Georgia’s wounded soldiers and their families financially and though other methods. 

Georgia’s Defence Ministry officials thanked the UK Defence Ministry for supporting Georgia’s wounded soldiers to participate in various sporting tournaments. Photo by Ministry of Defence of Georgia. 

Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Colonel Omar Begoidze, Defence Ministry representatives and Georgian wounded warriors, as well as Defence Attachés of NATO member countries accredited to Georgia attended the event.

Begoidze stressed through the support of the UK government, Georgian wounded soldiers had participated in several local and international tournaments for wounded servicemen. 

The two countries’ Defence Ministries are cooperating very fruitfully. The UK Defence Ministry representatives have trained our wounded soldiers for various international sporting tournaments,” he said. 

We have also invited a British adviser to the Ministry of Defence who will provide us with helpful advice in the next three years,” Begoidze said. 

Photo exhibition depicting Georgian wounded soldiers' achievements. Photo by Ministry of Defence of Georgia.  

After the ceremony the Georgian side was invited to closely scrutinise the new Airbus military aircraft before attending a reception at the airport. A photo exhibition depicting the wounded warriors participating in a range of activities was also presented to guests.