Defence Forces of Georgia: Difference between revisions
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<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18–65 years old | <!-- Manpower -->| age = 18–65 years old | ||
| conscription = 18 years of age, 12 months | | conscription = 18 years of age, 12 months | ||
| active = 37,000<ref>{{cite news|title=DEFENSE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE APPROVING NUMBER OF DEFENSE FORCES TO PLENARY SESSION|url=https://parliament.ge/en/media/news/tavdatsvisa-da-ushishroebis-komitetma-tavdatsvis-dzalebis-raodenobis-damtkitsebis-sakitkhis-plenarul-skhdomaze-gatanas-mkhari-dauchira|access-date=13 September 2023|work=parliament.ge|date=31 Oct 2022|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012170555/https://parliament.ge/en/media/news/tavdatsvisa-da-ushishroebis-komitetma-tavdatsvis-dzalebis-raodenobis-damtkitsebis-sakitkhis-plenarul-skhdomaze-gatanas-mkhari-dauchira|url-status=dead}}</ref> | | active = 37,000<ref>{{cite news|title=DEFENSE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE APPROVING NUMBER OF DEFENSE FORCES TO PLENARY SESSION|url=https://parliament.ge/en/media/news/tavdatsvisa-da-ushishroebis-komitetma-tavdatsvis-dzalebis-raodenobis-damtkitsebis-sakitkhis-plenarul-skhdomaze-gatanas-mkhari-dauchira|access-date=13 September 2023|work=parliament.ge|date=31 Oct 2022|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012170555/https://parliament.ge/en/media/news/tavdatsvisa-da-ushishroebis-komitetma-tavdatsvis-dzalebis-raodenobis-damtkitsebis-sakitkhis-plenarul-skhdomaze-gatanas-mkhari-dauchira|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| ranked = | | ranked = | ||
| reserve = 27,000 (Active as of 2023)<br />23,000 (Specialist as of 2023)<br />155,500 (territorial reserve as of 2024) | | reserve = 27,000 (Active as of 2023)<br />23,000 (Specialist as of 2023)<br />155,500 (territorial reserve as of 2024) | ||
| deployed = Currently nowhere | | deployed = Currently nowhere | ||
| amount = | | amount = ₾1.89 billion [[Georgian lari|GEL]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Parliament Endorsing Draft State Budget of Georgia for 2026 |url=https://www.parliament.ge/en/media/news/sakanonmdeblo-organom-sakartvelos-2025-tslis-sakhelmtsifo-biujetis-shesakheb-kanonproekti-daamtkitsa |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=parliament.ge |date=10 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
{{US$|702.8}}{{nbsp}}million (2026) | |||
| percent_GDP = 1. | | percent_GDP = 1.66% (2026) | ||
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = [[Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing]]<br />[[TAM Management]]<br />[[Scientific Technical Center Delta]]<br />[[Tbilisi Tank Factory]]<br />[[Scientific Technical Center Delta|Delta CAA Tactical]]<br />[[Scientific Technical Center Delta|Delta WB]] | <!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = [[Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing]]<br />[[TAM Management]]<br />[[Scientific Technical Center Delta]]<br />[[Tbilisi Tank Factory]]<br />[[Scientific Technical Center Delta|Delta CAA Tactical]]<br />[[Scientific Technical Center Delta|Delta WB]] | ||
| foreign_suppliers = | | foreign_suppliers = <br/>{{AUT}}<br />{{BUL}}<br />{{CZE}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{GER}}<br />{{ISR}}<br />{{ITA}}<br />{{JAP}}<br />{{POL}}<br />{{POR}}<br />{{ROM}}<br />{{SVK}}<br />{{ESP}}<br />{{SWE}}<br />{{SUI}}<br />{{TUR}}<br />{{USA}}<br/>{{UKR}} | ||
| imports = | | imports = | ||
| exports = <!-- Related articles --> | | exports = <!-- Related articles --> | ||
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The first regular military was established in the [[First Republic of Georgia|first Georgian Republic]] in 1918 and was in existence until after the republic's overthrow by the [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|invading]] [[Russian SFSR|Soviet Russian]] forces in 1921. The modern Georgian military were founded in accordance with the government decree of 24 April 1991. 30 April, the day when the first [[Conscription in Georgia|conscripts]] were called up for military service in 1991, has been celebrated as the day of the Georgian military forces.<ref name="agenda1">{{cite news |title=Georgia marks Armed Forces Day |url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/916 |access-date=10 January 2019 |work=Agenda.ge |date=30 April 2018 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012170556/https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/916 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | The first regular military was established in the [[First Republic of Georgia|first Georgian Republic]] in 1918 and was in existence until after the republic's overthrow by the [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|invading]] [[Russian SFSR|Soviet Russian]] forces in 1921. The modern Georgian military were founded in accordance with the government decree of 24 April 1991. 30 April, the day when the first [[Conscription in Georgia|conscripts]] were called up for military service in 1991, has been celebrated as the day of the Georgian military forces.<ref name="agenda1">{{cite news |title=Georgia marks Armed Forces Day |url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/916 |access-date=10 January 2019 |work=Agenda.ge |date=30 April 2018 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012170556/https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/916 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
The Georgian military have fought in the [[Georgian | The Georgian military have fought in the [[Georgian civil war of 1991–1993|civil war and separatist conflicts]] in the 1990s and the [[Russo-Georgian War]] of 2008 as well as major international military missions such as in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]. Georgia was one of the first former [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Soviet republics]] to join the [[NATO]] [[Partnership for Peace]] program in 1994 and [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]] (IPAP) in 2004 and has sought to bring its military in line with the NATO standards. | ||
==History of the Defence Forces== | ==History of the Defence Forces== | ||
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On 20 December 1990, President [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]] ordered the creation of what is now the Defence Forces. In January 1991, Soviet President [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and Supreme Soviet Chairman [[Anatoly Lukyanov]], demanded that Gamsakhurdia to stop the creation of the [[National Guard of Georgia|National Guard]]. The first military parade of the National Guard was held at [[Boris Paichadze Stadium]] on 30 April 1991, where for the first time in 70 years, Georgians swore allegiance to the Georgian people.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2017-05-01|title=ქართული ჯარის დიდი დღე|url=https://on.ge/story/10303-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98-%E1%83%AF%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%93%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%98-%E1%83%93%E1%83%A6%E1%83%94|access-date=2021-03-14|website=On.ge|language=ka}}</ref> This day is today commemorated as Defence Forces Day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=georgianpress.ge – 1991 წლის 30 აპრილს ქართული გვარდიის პირველი აღლუმი პრეზიდენტმა ზვიად გამსახურდიამ ჩაიბარა|url=http://georgianpress.ge/com/news/view/13598?lang=1|access-date=2021-03-14|website=საინფორმაციო სააგენტო – Georgian Press}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | On 20 December 1990, President [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]] ordered the creation of what is now the Defence Forces. In January 1991, Soviet President [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and Supreme Soviet Chairman [[Anatoly Lukyanov]], demanded that Gamsakhurdia to stop the creation of the [[National Guard of Georgia|National Guard]]. The first military parade of the National Guard was held at [[Boris Paichadze Stadium]] on 30 April 1991, where for the first time in 70 years, Georgians swore allegiance to the Georgian people.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2017-05-01|title=ქართული ჯარის დიდი დღე|url=https://on.ge/story/10303-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98-%E1%83%AF%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%93%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%98-%E1%83%93%E1%83%A6%E1%83%94|access-date=2021-03-14|website=On.ge|language=ka}}</ref> This day is today commemorated as Defence Forces Day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=georgianpress.ge – 1991 წლის 30 აპრილს ქართული გვარდიის პირველი აღლუმი პრეზიდენტმა ზვიად გამსახურდიამ ჩაიბარა|url=http://georgianpress.ge/com/news/view/13598?lang=1|access-date=2021-03-14|website=საინფორმაციო სააგენტო – Georgian Press}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | ||
The new military was mainly manned by volunteers as well as ethnically Georgian officers who were serving in [[Soviet | The new military was mainly manned by volunteers as well as ethnically Georgian officers who were serving in the [[Soviet Armed Forces]] at the time. The transfer of former [[Transcaucasian Military District]] facilities, weapons and formations located in Georgia, which began in early 1992, lasted until 1997. On 30 April 1992, an agreement was signed on the transfer of military units and facilities by the heads of the defence ministries of the Russian Federation and Georgia. According to it, Georgia received the following formations:<ref name="ГА">{{cite book| author = Авакян Г. |chapter-url=http://cast.ru/files/d524_1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050501100732/http://www.cast.ru/files/d524_1.pdf |archive-date=2005-05-01 |url-status=live |script-chapter=ru:Вооружая Кавказ: Нечаянное наследие Москвы |script-title=ru:Кавказ: вооружён и разобщён |editor=Матвеевой А. |editor2=Хизкока Д. |location=Moscow |date = 2004 |publisher=Просветитель |pages=163–173}}</ref> | ||
* 10th Armoured Division (without 403rd Motorized Rifle Regiment) – [[Akhaltsikhe]] | * 10th Armoured Division (without 403rd Motorized Rifle Regiment) – [[Akhaltsikhe]] (actually refers to the [[10th Guards Motor Rifle Division]]) | ||
* 6th Fortified Area – Akhaltsikhe | * 6th Fortified Area – Akhaltsikhe | ||
* 8th Fortified Area | * 8th Fortified Area | ||
During the [[Georgian Civil War]], units waged war with supporters of the ousted Gamsakhurdia. The Georgian Armed Forces also took part in the [[1991–1992 South Ossetia War]] and the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)]], losing both, after which Georgia lost control over most of the territory of these republics. | During the [[Georgian civil war of 1991–1993|Georgian Civil War]], units waged war with supporters of the ousted Gamsakhurdia. The Georgian Armed Forces also took part in the [[1991–1992 South Ossetia War]] and the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)]], losing both, after which Georgia lost control over most of the territory of these republics. | ||
=== 21st century === | === 21st century === | ||
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=== Russo-Georgian War === | === Russo-Georgian War === | ||
{{main article|Russo-Georgian War}} | {{main article|Russo-Georgian War}} | ||
In August 2008, following a series of fierce clashes in [[South Ossetia]], Georgia attempted to re-take the separatist territory by force. In the resulting military conflict with [[Russia]], Georgia was driven out of South Ossetia and [[Abkhazia]], and lost parts of its military capabilities. Russian forces sank four Georgian naval vessels in the port of Poti and hauled away nine rigid-hull inflatable boats. Georgia Land Forces lost approximately 30 T-72's, 6 BMP's, 2 BTR's and around 10 artillery pieces of all types in combat. The Russians also captured 5 intact BMP's, approximately 5 artillery pieces, BUK SAM system and OSA SAM system. The Georgian Air Force lost three [[AN-2]]'s, 2 [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]]'s and 1 [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14]] on the ground. Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia lost 2 [[Elbit Hermes 450|Hermes 450]] reconnaissance drones and 1 [[Otokar Cobra]] APC. The Russian military lost more military equipment in combat than Georgia. | |||
In August 2008, following a series of fierce clashes in [[South Ossetia]], Georgia attempted to re-take the separatist territory by force. In the resulting military conflict with [[Russia]], Georgia was driven out of South Ossetia and [[Abkhazia]], and lost parts of its military capabilities. Russian forces sank four Georgian naval vessels in the port of Poti and hauled away nine rigid-hull inflatable boats. Georgia Land Forces lost approximately 30 T-72's, 6 BMP's, 2 BTR's and around 10 artillery pieces of all types in combat. The Russians also captured 5 intact BMP's, approximately 5 artillery pieces, BUK SAM system and OSA SAM system. The Georgian Air Force lost three [[AN-2]]'s, 2 [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]]'s and 1 [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14]] on the ground. Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia lost 2 [[Elbit Hermes 450|Hermes 450]] reconnaissance drones and 1 [[Otokar Cobra]] APC. The Russian military lost more military equipment in combat than Georgia {{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}. | |||
=== Reconstruction === | === Reconstruction === | ||
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==== Ground arms ==== | ==== Ground arms ==== | ||
{{main article|Georgian Land Forces}} | {{main article|Georgian Land Forces}} | ||
The structure of the [[Georgian Land Forces]] is based on [[brigade]] and [[battalion]]-sized military units. The main force consists of four infantry, one special operations, two artillery, one air defence brigades and several independent battalions. Georgian brigades have a total manpower of 3,000 each excluding non-combat personnel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=-10&Id=25&lang=1 |title=Structure of Land Forces |publisher=Mod.gov.ge |access-date=2013-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105133928/http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=-10&Id=25&lang=1 |archive-date=2013-11-05 }}</ref> The overall strength of the land forces in 2013 was 37,825 (excluding active reserve), from which 21 were high-ranking officers, 6,166 officers and sergeants, 28,477 corporals and privates, 125 cadets and 388 civilians.<ref name="milkavkaz.net">{{cite web|url=http://milkavkaz.net/?q=node/8 |title=Вооружённые силы Грузии |publisher=milkavkaz.net |date=2009-10-13 |access-date=2013-08-17}}</ref> Accordingly, to reach NATO structures and higher standards the brigades were downsized to optimal as well as the 5th brigade disbanded, also to increase the percentage of spending on arms acquirement, which was previously 2%, to 6% of the military budget. The goal is to reach at least 15% until 2020. The ground forces are equipped with a variety of weapons and vehicles. Special forces operate independently under MOD direction. | The structure of the [[Georgian Land Forces]] is based on [[brigade]] and [[battalion]]-sized military units. The main force consists of four infantry, one special operations, two artillery, one air defence brigades and several independent battalions. Georgian brigades have a total manpower of 3,000 each excluding non-combat personnel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=-10&Id=25&lang=1 |title=Structure of Land Forces |publisher=Mod.gov.ge |access-date=2013-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105133928/http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=-10&Id=25&lang=1 |archive-date=2013-11-05 }}</ref> The overall strength of the land forces in 2013 was 37,825 (excluding active reserve), from which 21 were high-ranking officers, 6,166 officers and sergeants, 28,477 corporals and privates, 125 cadets and 388 civilians.<ref name="milkavkaz.net">{{cite web|url=http://milkavkaz.net/?q=node/8 |title=Вооружённые силы Грузии |publisher=milkavkaz.net |date=2009-10-13 |access-date=2013-08-17}}</ref> Accordingly, to reach NATO structures and higher standards the brigades were downsized to optimal as well as the 5th brigade disbanded, also to increase the percentage of spending on arms acquirement, which was previously 2%, to 6% of the military budget. The goal is to reach at least 15% until 2020. The ground forces are equipped with a variety of weapons and vehicles. Special forces operate independently under MOD direction. | ||
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==== Force composition ==== | ==== Force composition ==== | ||
[[File:Georgian soldiers provide security (7691328372).jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the 32nd Battalion conducting pre-deployment training, 2012]] | [[File:Georgian soldiers provide security (7691328372).jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the 32nd Battalion conducting pre-deployment training, 2012]] | ||
[[File:130703-M-YH552-899 (9241524618).jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers of 33rd Battalion and US Marines board a MV-22B Osprey during the Georgian lead operation Northern Lion II, 2013]] | [[File:130703-M-YH552-899 (9241524618).jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers of 33rd Battalion and US Marines board a MV-22B Osprey during the Georgian lead operation Northern Lion II, 2013]] | ||
[[File:Georgian mission rehearsal exercise 150218-A-LO967-010.jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the 43rd Mechanized Battalion during exercises, 2015]] | [[File:Georgian mission rehearsal exercise 150218-A-LO967-010.jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the 43rd Mechanized Battalion during exercises, 2015]] | ||
[[File:Georgian T-72Sim1 01.jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers, 44th Armored Battalion, drive a T-72 tank into a fighting position during a combined training exercise, Vaziani, Republic of Georgia, Aug. 6, 2017.]] | |||
[[File:Georgian army soldier - 1, GDRP.jpg|thumb|Georgian army soldier takes down grid coordinates during Defence Readiness Program-Training, 2018]] | [[File:Georgian army soldier - 1, GDRP.jpg|thumb|Georgian army soldier takes down grid coordinates during Defence Readiness Program-Training, 2018]] | ||
[[File:Georgian soldiers Agile Spirit 25 - 1.jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers training [[Casualty evacuation| | |||
CASEVAC]] during exercise Agile Spirit 2025]] | |||
* '''HQ, Land Forces Command ([[Tbilisi]])'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/assets/up-modul/uploads/pdf/General-Staff-Structure-ENG.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915193348/https://mod.gov.ge/assets/up-modul/uploads/pdf/General-Staff-Structure-ENG.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-15 |url-status=live|title=საქართველოს თავდაცვის სამინისტრო|website=www.mod.gov.ge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://georgianarmy.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/46/ | title=საქართველოს სახმელეთო ჯარების სტრუქტურა | date=21 November 2010 }}</ref> | * '''HQ, Land Forces Command ([[Tbilisi]])'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/assets/up-modul/uploads/pdf/General-Staff-Structure-ENG.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915193348/https://mod.gov.ge/assets/up-modul/uploads/pdf/General-Staff-Structure-ENG.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-15 |url-status=live|title=საქართველოს თავდაცვის სამინისტრო|website=www.mod.gov.ge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://georgianarmy.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/46/ | title=საქართველოს სახმელეთო ჯარების სტრუქტურა | date=21 November 2010 }}</ref> | ||
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***Engineer Company | ***Engineer Company | ||
***Signal Company | ***Signal Company | ||
**'''3rd Infantry Brigade (''The | **'''3rd Infantry Brigade (''The Mamluks'') ([[Kutaisi]])''' | ||
***31st Light Infantry Battalion | ***31st Light Infantry Battalion | ||
***32nd Light Infantry Battalion | ***32nd Light Infantry Battalion | ||
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=== Air Force === | === Air Force === | ||
{{main article|Georgian Air Force}}[[File:Su-25 plane, Georgian Air Force.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25KM]] ground attack aircraft]] | {{main article|Georgian Air Force}} | ||
[[File:Su-25 plane, Georgian Air Force.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25KM]] ground attack aircraft]] | |||
[[File:Georgian Mi-24V.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]] attack helicopter ]] | [[File:Georgian Mi-24V.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]] attack helicopter ]] | ||
The '''Georgian Air Force''' ([[Georgian language|Georgian]]: საქართველოს საჰაერო ძალები, ''sak'art'velos sahaero dzalebi'') is the [[air force]] of the Defence Forces of Georgia. It was established as part of the Georgian Armed Forces in 1992 and merged into Army Air Section in 2010. As part of reforms in the Georgian military, the Air Force was reestablished as a separate branch of the Defence Forces in 2016. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defence [[Irakli Garibashvili]] the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force are being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. The Minister of Defence also announced plans to acquire strike drones to increase Georgia's combat readiness. | The '''Georgian Air Force''' ([[Georgian language|Georgian]]: საქართველოს საჰაერო ძალები, ''sak'art'velos sahaero dzalebi'') is the [[air force]] of the Defence Forces of Georgia. It was established as part of the Georgian Armed Forces in 1992 and merged into Army Air Section in 2010. As part of reforms in the Georgian military, the Air Force was reestablished as a separate branch of the Defence Forces in 2016. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defence [[Irakli Garibashvili]] the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force are being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. The Minister of Defence also announced plans to acquire strike drones to increase Georgia's combat readiness. | ||
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=== Georgian Coast Guard (Former Naval Force) === | === Georgian Coast Guard (Former Naval Force) === | ||
{{main article|Georgian Navy}} | {{main article|Georgian Navy}} | ||
The Georgian Navy was abolished in 2009 and was incorporated into the Coast Guard, which is not structurally part of the Defence Forces, but rather it is a subunit of the Border Guard of Georgia, which is under the control of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. The [[Coast Guard of Georgia]] is responsible for maintenance of the sovereignty of the country and for protection of internal territorial waters and economic zones. The headquarters and a principal Coast Guard base are located at the [[Black Sea]] port of [[Poti]]. | The Georgian Navy was abolished in 2009 and was incorporated into the Coast Guard, which is not structurally part of the Defence Forces, but rather it is a subunit of the Border Guard of Georgia, which is under the control of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. The [[Coast Guard of Georgia]] is responsible for maintenance of the sovereignty of the country and for protection of internal territorial waters and economic zones. The headquarters and a principal Coast Guard base are located at the [[Black Sea]] port of [[Poti]]. | ||
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=== Commissioned officers === | === Commissioned officers === | ||
{{Main article|Officer (armed forces)}} | {{Main article|Officer (armed forces)}} | ||
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" | {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" | ||
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} | {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} | ||
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== Commanders == | == Commanders == | ||
{{Main|Chief of General Staff of Georgian Armed Forces}} | {{Main|Chief of General Staff of Georgian Armed Forces}} | ||
The Chief of General Staff is the highest-ranking officer in the military, heading the [[General Staff of the Defence Forces of Georgia|General Staff]] and being the [[ex officio]] [[Chief of Defence Forces of Georgia|Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces]], who is the commander of the Defence Forces, being appointed by the [[Ministry of Defence of Georgia|Minister of Defence]]. The senior enlisted advisor of the Georgian military is the Sergeant Major of the Georgian Defence Forces ({{Lang-ka|საქართველოს შეიარაღებული ძალების სერჟანტი მაიორი|tr}}), currently Sergeant Major Koba Tsirekidze (appointed on 11 April 2016).<ref>{{cite web| url = https://ncolcoe.armylive.dodlive.mil/koba-tsirekidze/#:~:text=Sergeant%20Major%20Koba%20Tsirekidze%20was,Armed%20Forces%20as%20a%20corporal.| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200617040354/https://ncolcoe.armylive.dodlive.mil/koba-tsirekidze/| archive-date = 2020-06-17| title = Koba Tsirekidze {{!}}}}</ref> | The Chief of General Staff is the highest-ranking officer in the military, heading the [[General Staff of the Defence Forces of Georgia|General Staff]] and being the [[ex officio]] [[Chief of Defence Forces of Georgia|Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces]], who is the commander of the Defence Forces, being appointed by the [[Ministry of Defence of Georgia|Minister of Defence]]. The senior enlisted advisor of the Georgian military is the Sergeant Major of the Georgian Defence Forces ({{Lang-ka|საქართველოს შეიარაღებული ძალების სერჟანტი მაიორი|tr}}), currently Sergeant Major Koba Tsirekidze (appointed on 11 April 2016).<ref>{{cite web| url = https://ncolcoe.armylive.dodlive.mil/koba-tsirekidze/#:~:text=Sergeant%20Major%20Koba%20Tsirekidze%20was,Armed%20Forces%20as%20a%20corporal.| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200617040354/https://ncolcoe.armylive.dodlive.mil/koba-tsirekidze/| archive-date = 2020-06-17| title = Koba Tsirekidze {{!}}}}</ref> | ||
== Military industry == | == Military industry == | ||
{{Main article|STC Delta}} | {{Main article|STC Delta}} | ||
[[File:Modernized BRDM-2 of STC Delta (Georgia) 03.jpg|thumb|Modernized BRDM-2 of Georgian Land Forces]] | [[File:Modernized BRDM-2 of STC Delta (Georgia) 03.jpg|thumb|Modernized BRDM-2 of Georgian Land Forces]] | ||
Georgia has a long history of weapon production tracing back to ancient times. The modern arms industry began during the Soviet era. In 1941 Georgia became one of the most important Soviet weapon manufacturing states during the [[Second World War]]. It was responsible for providing the Soviet | Georgia has a long history of weapon production tracing back to ancient times. The modern arms industry began during the Soviet era. In 1941 Georgia became one of the most important Soviet weapon manufacturing states during the [[Second World War]]. It was responsible for providing the Soviet Armed Forces with all types of aircraft and ammunition. [[Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing]]'s role didn't change after the war. Up until 1990 Georgia was producing various types of fighter aircraft, most notably the [[Su-25]] since it was produced almost exclusively in Georgia, unmanned areal vehicles, missiles, satellite components and orbital satellites. The company lost most of its functionality and production capability when the Soviet Union dissolved, yet was not abandoned. In the late 1990s Georgia's JSC RMP and later the newly established Ministry of Defence section [[STC Delta|"Delta"]] started to work on the development of ballistic equipment using their own ingredients. The advanced research unit had successfully developed a variety of personal protection gear, such as bomb disposal suits and level I-IV body armour using classified mixtures of domestic resource. These projects never went beyond some prototypes, mainly due to poor attention and financing from the government. | ||
With foreign support primarily from the United States since 2005, Georgia became able to start building a solid industrial base for the military. From 2001 to 2007, Delta experimented with unmanned aerial vehicles and modified parts for helicopters and Su-25 aircraft until it got involved in the modification of Georgia's T-72 tank fleet. In 2009–10, with enough experience and expertise and the assistance of designer [[Zviad Tsikolia]], Delta created its first prototype of an armored personnel carrier, the [[Didgori Armoured Personnel Carrier|Didgori]]. Early tests were highly successful so that its first production line started already in 2011. Two versions would initially serve in the armed forces in 2012, followed by different modifications from 2013 on. The [[Lazika]] is Delta's attempt to manufacture a suitable modular infantry fighting vehicle created for multiple tasks. Delta considers the Lazika as one of the best vehicles of its class bearing armour technology similar to that of Israel. The remotely operated systems are locally produced as well. Due to "misdirected financing" and heavy interfering of former government officials, project Lazika was temporarily cancelled in late 2012, also due to "sabotage" and shortcomings in its armour research, but then later continued in early 2013 when a newly elected government took charge. | With foreign support primarily from the United States since 2005, Georgia became able to start building a solid industrial base for the military. From 2001 to 2007, Delta experimented with unmanned aerial vehicles and modified parts for helicopters and Su-25 aircraft until it got involved in the modification of Georgia's T-72 tank fleet. In 2009–10, with enough experience and expertise and the assistance of designer [[Zviad Tsikolia]], Delta created its first prototype of an armored personnel carrier, the [[Didgori Armoured Personnel Carrier|Didgori]]. Early tests were highly successful so that its first production line started already in 2011. Two versions would initially serve in the armed forces in 2012, followed by different modifications from 2013 on. The [[Lazika]] is Delta's attempt to manufacture a suitable modular infantry fighting vehicle created for multiple tasks. Delta considers the Lazika as one of the best vehicles of its class bearing armour technology similar to that of Israel. The remotely operated systems are locally produced as well. Due to "misdirected financing" and heavy interfering of former government officials, project Lazika was temporarily cancelled in late 2012, also due to "sabotage" and shortcomings in its armour research, but then later continued in early 2013 when a newly elected government took charge. | ||