US Congress supports sale of anti-tank Javelin missiles to Georgia, says Georgian defence minister

Levan Izoria said that the Congress’s positive decision regarding selling Javelin Missiles to Georgia is the recognition of the reforms the country’s defence ministry has implemented. Photo: Ministry’s press office.
Agenda.ge, 20 Dec 2017 - 12:20, Tbilisi,Georgia

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.

He said that the Congress’s positive decision regarding selling Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units to Georgia is the recognition of the reforms the country’s defence ministry has implemented.

"We have an important success regarding purchasing the anti-tank Javelin missiles. On March 29 of this year I was honoured to write to the US Defence Department [regarding the possible military sale to Georgia]. This decision was revealed publicly in November. The political decision has been made and for the first time today I would like to inform you that yesterday the Congress made a positive decision. I am holding the original decision, meaning that decision is final”, Izoria announced.

He added that Georgia had asked the US for the Javelin missiles multiple-times for years but implementation of defence reforms was one of the conditions the US requested from the country. Izoria said that by yesterday’s positive decision, the US recognised the reforms Georgia has undertaken.

"This is the achievement of our state and I would like to congratulate you all on the decision that was made yesterday”, Izoria said.

On November 21, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that it made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to Georgia for Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units for an estimated cost of $75 million. However, it added that the sale would be possible to conclude only if backed by the Congress.