Georgia to further strengthen defence capabilities in 2021
Irakli Gharibashvili inroduced the defence vision of the government programme to parliament today. Photo: Defence Ministry press office
Tweet 
Share
Georgian Defence Minister nominee Irakli Gharibashvili said the country will further strengthen its defence capabilities in 2021.
Gharibashvili stated at the parliamentary hearing earlier today that the defence forces will be equipped with operational and tactical unmanned reconnaissance and combat drones as well as continue renewal of the air fleet.
- Georgian anti-air defences, air assets to get upgrades after deals with Israeli companies
- Spanish-produced drones to equip Georgian reconnaissance units, help in rescue missions
Introducing the defence vision of the new government programme Gharibashvili said Georgia aims to purchase more anti-tank Javelin missiles as well.
He meanwhile noted that in 2021 the Georgian defence forces will be equipped in full line with the NATO standards which includes M4 rifles - a modern, American-designed weapon.
- Georgian Defence Force units to "completely" update arms to NATO standards
- US to provide Georgia with anti-tank Javelin missiles
In his report Gharibashvili also spoke of Georgia's strategic partnership with NATO and its allies.
Georgia has never had such a high-level of political and practical support from NATO", he said adding that the country remains committed to the NATO guidance to spend 2 percent of its GDP on defence.
Meanwhile, Gharibashvili underscored that Georgia will continue to participate in NATO and EU-led international missions aimed to ensure global peace and stability.
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.
Nationally produced armoured cars have equipped the Georgian Defence Forces for the first time, after the Scientific Technical Centre 'Delta' provided the armed forces with Didgori vehicles.
Georgian border guards have been provided with 20 modern Argo all-terrain vehicles (ATV) thanks to financial support from the US Defense and Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
Georgian Defence Forces units will replace their aging hardware and arms for modern, NATO-standard models in an overhaul taking place this year, Minister of Defence Irakli Garibashvili told the parliament earlier today.
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia is in talks with Poland, Czech Republic and Israel for establishing joint ventures for developing knowledge and experience in a "priority" field of national defence production, minister Irakli Garibashvili announced at a briefing of his 2020 ministry report on Friday.
Georgian defence industry will join forces with Israeli partners to produce M4 rifles while also being in talks with Polish and South African companies to launch joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles - in addition to planning procurement of a further batch of Javelin anti-tank systems from the United States and anti-air missile systems from an Israeli company.