US Congress supports sale of anti-tank Javelin missiles to Georgia, says Georgian defence minister
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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.
Georgia is a sovereign state and we respect its right to make decisions on its own regarding its defence, says the US Ambassador to Georgia. Ian Kelly’s comment comes after the State Department consented to the sale of a man-portable anti-tank system to Georgia.
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has commended Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria for Georgia's ongoing commitment to defence reforms and to strengthening the capabilities of the country's armed forces through robust defence spending at 2.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product.
The Defence Minister of Georgia Levan Izoria has announced he will visit the United States (US) to hold high-level meetings next week. Prior to the visit, he met with US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly today.
The Georgian Defence Ministry and the United States European Command have signed a memorandum of understanding about strengthening the defence capabilities of Georgia today.
The first stage of the transport of US anti-tank Javelin missiles to Georgia has been completed successfully, Georgia’s Minister of Defence Levan Izoria has announced.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has stated today that Georgian air space will become more secure and protected through the efforts of the Georgian government and the United States.
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.
The United States Department of Defence has signed a contract with Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture on the production of the Javelin anti-tank missile systems for a number of countries, including Georgia. The Javelin Joint Venture will perform the works in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of June 25, 2020.
The US Department of State has approved the sale of the country’s anti-tank Javelin missiles and command launch units to Georgia. Now it is up to the Congress to confirm the sale of 82 missiles and 46 command launch units to Georgia for $30 million. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already notified Congress about the decision and said that the proposed sale is in the interests of US foreign policy and national security.