PM Garibashvili unveils Georgian-Israeli rifle production plant in Georgia

A joint Georgian-Israeli production of rifles will launch in Georgia, with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili presenting the newly set-up plant for making carbines similar to the famed American-made M4.

Unveiling the factory a year after his initial reveal for plans for it, Garibashvili spoke to reporters after inspecting the Delta CCA Arms plant, a joint facility involving the local Delta company of arms and hardware production and their Israeli partners.

Equipped with factory machines built in the United States, the production will make GI-4 carbines - rifles similar to the 5.56 NATO-calibre M4 that has become ubiquitous in US armed forces and troops in dozens of other countries, including Georgian Defence Forces.

Factory machinery used in the production was built in the United States. Photo via Office of the Prime Minister of Georgia.

The Georgian PM told local press all parts of the carbine would be produced locally by personnel who have undergone relevant training for the project, which was initially started during Garibashvili's time as the defence minister, before his appointment as the PM in February 2021.

Involving university graduates, the work at the new plant is also set to be expanded in the future to include production of other firearms and accessories, and upgrades to existing arms. The PM's office said plans were also in place to export the hardware made at the factory.

Signed by the defence ministry and the Israeli company involved in the initiative in May, the deal for the factory is the latest of the moves by the ministry to launch local production of hardware for armed forces over the recent years.

The defence ministry has been in talks with Polish and South African companies to launch joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles, while also exploring possibilities of joint ventures with the Czech Republic.