View source for Defence Forces of Georgia

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Georgia}}
{{For|military forces serving the U.S. State of Georgia|Georgia National Guard|Georgia State Defense Force}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Defence Forces of Georgia
| native_name = საქართველოს თავდაცვის ძალები
| image = Flag of the Georgian Armed Forces.svg
| alt =
| caption = Flag of the Georgian Defence Forces
| image2 = Defense Forces of Georgia 2018 Emblem v 1 G1.png
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Coat of arms of the Georgian Defence Forces
| motto =
| founded = 30 April 1991
| current_form = December 2018
| disbanded =
| branches = {{flagicon image|Georgia. Flag of Land Forces.gif}} [[Georgian Land Forces|Land Forces]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Aviation and Air Defense Command of the Defense Forces of Georgia.png}} [[Georgian Air Force|Air Force]]<br />{{flagicon image|National Guard of Georgia flag (2018).png}} [[National Guard of Georgia|National Guard]]
| headquarters = [[Tbilisi]], Georgia
| flying_hours =
| website = {{URL|https://mod.gov.ge/}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Georgia.svg}} [[President of Georgia|President]] [[Salome Zurabishvili]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister = {{flagicon image|Flag of Georgia.svg}} [[Irakli Kobakhidze]]
| chief minister_title = [[Prime Minister of Georgia|Prime Minister]]
| minister = {{flagicon image|Georgia. Standard of Minister of Defence.svg}} [[Irakli Chikovani]]
| minister_title = [[Minister of Defence of Georgia|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = Maj. Gen. [[Giorgi Matiashvili]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://mod.gov.ge/en/page/14/chief-of-general-staff| title = Giorgi Matiashvili - MOD.GOV.GE}}</ref>
| commander_title = [[Chief of Georgian Defence Forces|Chief of Defence Forces]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18–65 years old
| conscription = 18 years of age, 12 months
| manpower_data = 2019 est.
| manpower_age = 18–65
| available = 2,156,000
| available_f =
| fit = 1,023,400 male
| fit_f =
| reaching = 49,751
| reaching_f =
| 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 =
| 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
| amount = 1.3 Billion [[Georgian lari|GEL]] (2024)<ref>{{cite news |title=THE PARLIAMENT DISCUSSING THE DRAFT STATE BUDGET 2023 |url=https://parliament.ge/en/media/news/parlamentma-sakartvelos-2023-tslis-sakhelmtsifo-biujetis-proektis-shesakheb-imsjela |access-date=14 December 2022 |work=parliament.ge |date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001015005/https://parliament.ge/en/media/news/parlamentma-sakartvelos-2023-tslis-sakhelmtsifo-biujetis-proektis-shesakheb-imsjela |url-status=dead }}</ref>
480,000,000 USD (2024)
| percent_GDP = 1.41% (2024)
<!-- 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 = {{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}}{{hr}} '''Former:'''<br />{{RUS}}<br />{{BLR}}<br />{{UKR}}
| imports =
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = [[Military history of Georgia]]<br />[[List of wars involving Georgia (country)|List of wars involving Georgia]]
| ranks = [[Georgian military ranks]]
}}{{Defense Forces of Georgia sidebar}}The '''Defence Forces of Georgia''' ({{lang-ka|საქართველოს თავდაცვის ძალები|tr}}), or '''Georgian Defence Forces''' ('''GDF'''), are the combined military forces of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], tasked with the defence of the nation's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. They consist of the [[Georgian Land Forces|Land Force]], [[Georgian Air Force|Air Force]], [[National Guard of Georgia|National Guard]], and [[Georgian Special Operations Forces|Special Operations Forces]]. The Defence Forces are under overall leadership of the [[Minister of Defence of Georgia]] and directly headed by the [[Chief of Georgian Defence Forces|Chief of Defence Forces]].
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}}</ref>
The Georgian military have fought in the [[Georgian Civil War|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==
{{main article|Georgian–Armenian War 1918|Georgian–Ossetian conflict (1918–1920)|Red Army invasion of Georgia|1991–1992 South Ossetia War|War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)|Russo-Georgian War|Military history of Georgia}}
=== Establishment and early years ===
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 Army]] 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]]
* 6th Fortified Area – Akhaltsikhe
* 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.
=== 21st century ===
The [[Georgia Train and Equip Program]] (GTEP) training was conducted using [[U.S. Special Operations Forces]] and [[U.S. Marine Corps]] forces from May 2002 to May 2004. During this time approximately 2,600 Georgian soldiers, including a headquarters staff element and 5 tactical units, received training. Another assistance program, the [[Georgia Security and Stability Operations Program]] (Georgia SSOP), was launched in January 2005 as a continuation of the (GTEP) of 2002–2004. [[Georgian Kosovo contingent|Georgian contingents]] were involved in the [[Kosovo Force]] and continue to participate in the operations in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]].
The DFG have been extensively reformed in the recent years to meet Georgia's aspirations to join NATO and for better response to the existing challenges such as the ongoing tensions in the unresolved separatist conflict areas in [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]] as well as to the threats of global terrorism. Georgia also views a large-scale foreign invasion and the spillover of conflicts from Russia's [[North Caucasus]] as the worst potential near- and long-term scenarios, respectively.<ref>The Strategic Defense Review (2007), p. 77.</ref>
On 8 August 2008 the Georgian military conducted an operation in Georgia's breakaway region [[South Ossetia]] (see [[2008 South Ossetia War]]) in response to separatist attacks. The operation led to an armed conflict with forces from the [[Russian Federation]] and resulted in the defeat and expulsion of Georgian forces from South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Following the military operations, Russia recognized independence of the regions.
The military budget of Georgia increased more than 50 times over the period from 2002 (US$18 mln.) to 2007 (US$17000 mln.), reaching over 7% of Georgia's GDP. Currently the budget is 5000mln USD (145.5 Billion GEL).
=== 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.
=== Reconstruction ===
Georgia immediately began a process of re-armament after the war. The conflict was immediately followed by a replenishment program of the gaps in the single GAF arms components with an additional massive re-equipment and modernization program. Two Georgian naval vessels sunk in [[Poti]] were raised and returned to service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinsblog/2909836113/sizes/m/in/set-72157607708120897/ |title=Tutte le dimensioni &#124;IMG_0721 &#124; Flickr – Condivisione di foto! |publisher=Flickr.com |access-date=2013-08-17}}</ref> The Georgian Navy's remaining operational units were merged into the Coast Guard, which received training in search and seizure tactics from the [[United States]]{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}. [[Ukraine]] supplied Georgia with 30 [[BTR-70]] armored personnel carriers, 2 [[Buk missile system|BUK]] SAM system batteries and 6 [[9K33 Osa|OSA]] mobile SAM systems{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}. [[Israel]] supplied Georgia with 13 [[Wolf Armoured Vehicle|Wolf APC]]'s and [[SPYDER|SPYDER-SR]] SAM systems and many types of firearms{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}. The U.S. supplied Georgia with many types of infantry equipment to Georgia such as infantry personal protection equipment, firearms, APC's and anti tank missiles. Georgia has also received [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADs]] and radars from [[France]]{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}. NATO militaries also often train with Georgian military and have annual military drills in Georgia. Georgia also rebuilt its damaged military bases and constructed more military barracks. By late 2010 the Georgian military had reached a strength greater than pre-war levels and, after completing the reforms, decisively reduced military spending. Beginning in 2010, Georgia started to produce its own line of APC's, IFV's, infantry personal protection equipment, small arms and mortars.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}
== Structure ==
The Defence Forces of Georgia consist of four branches: [[Georgian Land Forces|Land Forces]], [[Georgian Air Force|Air Force]], [[National Guard of Georgia|National Guard]], and [[Georgian Special Operations Forces|Special Operations Forces]].<ref name="law">{{cite act |title=საქართველოს თავდაცვის შესახებ |trans-title=On Defense of Georgia |type=Law |number=1030 |language=ka |date=31 October 2018 |article= |article-type= |page= |url=https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/28330?publication=16}}</ref>
The overall command is exercised by the [[Chief of Defence Forces of Georgia|Chief of Defence Forces]], who is aided by the [[General Staff of the Defence Forces of Georgia|General Staff of the Defence Forces]]. The Defence Forces are further organized into several structural units:<ref name="law"/>
* Eastern Command
* Western Command
* Air and Air Defence Command
* Special Operations Forces
* Military Training and Education Command
* Army Logistics Command
* National Guard
* Military Police
* Department of Military Intelligence
In wartime, several other bodies fall under the control of the Defence Forces additionally. These are:<ref name="law"/>
* [[Border Police of Georgia]], a subordinate agency of the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia]]
* Department of Special Operations - Public Security Forces, a subunit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
* Department for Protection of Strategic Pipelines, a subunit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
* Department for Protection of Strategic Infrastructure, a subunit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
* [[National Defence Academy (Georgia)|National Defence Academy]] of Georgia, a legal entity under the Ministry of Defence
* [[Gori Military Hospital|Military Hospital of the Ministry of Defence]]
* Cybersecurity Bureau, a legal entity under the Ministry of Defence
* Data Exchange Agency, a legal entity under the [[Ministry of Justice of Georgia]].
The Eastern Command and its Western counterpart are two main regional operational groupings, respectively, for eastern and western Georgia. They were created in the 2010s in order to have two autonomous territorial commands, with their own military staffs, logistical and administrative resources.
=== Branches ===
The Land Forces form the largest component of the DFG responsible for providing land defence against any threat to the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting Border Police in border protection and civil authorities in counter-terrorist operations as well as providing units for NATO-led and coalition operations abroad. They are organized into infantry brigades, artillery and other supporting capacities operating at a battalion level.<ref name="review">The Strategic Defense Review (2007), p. 74.</ref>
The Special Operations Forces are responsible for conducting special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. The Georgian National Guard organizes and trains reservists in the peacetime and mobilizes them during a crisis or wartime.<ref name="review"/>
==== Ground arms ====
{{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 Georgian Land Force consists of following primary combat formations (incomplete):<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/?l=E&m=5&sm=5 |title=Georgian Ministry of Defence: Land Force |publisher=Mod.gov.ge |access-date=2013-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001817/http://www.mod.gov.ge/?l=E&m=5&sm=5 |archive-date=2014-03-23 }}</ref>
==== Force composition ====
[[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 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:Georgian mission rehearsal exercise 150218-A-LO967-010.jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the 43rd Mechanized Battalion during exercises, 2015]]
[[File:Georgian army soldier - 1, GDRP.jpg|thumb|Georgian army soldier takes down grid coordinates during Defence Readiness Program-Training, 2018]]
* '''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>
** Central Command Point
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Eastern Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Operational Command East'''
**'''1st Infantry Brigade ([[Tbilisi]])'''
***11th Light Infantry Battalion
***12th Light Infantry Battalion - [[NATO Response Force|NRF]]
***[[13th "Shavnabada" Light Infantry Battalion|13th Light Infantry Battalion]]
***14th Mixed Armored Battalion
***Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
**'''4th Mechanized Infantry Brigade ([[Vaziani]])'''
***41st Mechanized Infantry Battalion
***43rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion
***42nd Mixed Armored Battalion
***44th Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
**'''5th Artillery Brigade ([[Vaziani]])'''
***51st Artillery Battalion
***52nd Artillery Battalion
***53rd Security Battalion
***Air Defence Company
** '''[[Georgian Special Operations Forces|Special Operations Battalion]]'''
** '''Ranger Battalion'''
** '''Combat Engineer Battalion'''
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Western Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Operational Command West'''
** '''2nd Infantry Brigade ([[Senaki]])'''<ref>See also http://desantura.ru/veteran/521/</ref>
***21st Light Infantry Battalion
***22nd Light Infantry Battalion
***23rd Light Infantry Battalion
***21st Mixed Armored Battalion
***Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
**'''3rd Infantry Brigade (''The Mamelukes'') ([[Kutaisi]])'''
***31st Light Infantry Battalion
***32nd Light Infantry Battalion
***33rd Mixed Armored Battalion
***34th Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
** '''6th Artillery Brigade ([[Khoni]])'''
***61st Artillery Battalion
***62nd Artillery Battalion
***63rd Security Battalion
***Air Defence Company
** '''Naval Special Operations Company'''
** '''Combat Engineer Battalion'''
** '''Medical Company'''
** '''Separate Communications Company'''
====Separate Elements====
*[[File:Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Aviation and Air-Defence Command'''
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Army Logistics Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Army Logistics Command'''
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Military Training and Education Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Training and Education Command'''
* '''Engineer Brigade'''
* Separate Reconnaissance Battalion ([[Kobuleti]])
* Separate Medical Battalion ([[Saguramo Range|Saguramo]])
* Separate Signal Battalion
* Separate Logistics Battalion
In 2011 the Georgian high command decided to divide its military forces into two main operational units; the Eastern and Western Operational Groups. The aim was to create two independently acting military districts which would consist of forces in accordance to the strategic value of their deployment areas yet being balanced in their type of equipment. In case of war each group will be able to coordinate its operations independently from high command, having its own logistical and administrative reserves.
===Special Operations Forces===
{{main article|Georgian Special Operations Forces}}
The Special Operations Forces of the Defence Forces of Georgia were established to conduct unconventional warfare and the full spectrum of special operation missions. They also serve in supporting capacity for regular military forces, primarily in the areas of education and training.
Georgian special forces became first active in 1999 as part of [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]. Georgian commandos participated in the [[Iraq War]] from 2003 until the complete withdrawal of the Georgian contingent in 2008 due to an [[2008 South Ossetia War|escalation of hostilities in South Ossetia]]. According to independent accounts, a number of Georgian operatives were also deployed prior in Afghanistan to aide US Special Forces in hunting down [[Taliban]] leaders. Georgian officials have stated that a group of servicemen were deployed in Afghanistan for medical purposes.
=== 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]]
[[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.
=== Georgian Coast Guard (Former Naval Force) ===
{{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]].
[[File:Georgian coast guard in the port of Batumi.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Coast guard|Coast Guard]] vessels]]
The other, smaller Coast Guard base is in [[Batumi]]. Besides the naval force, the navy also includes a Special Counter-terrorist Detachment force. Georgia is also one of the founding members and a participant of the [[Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group]]. Before the war with Russia, the Georgian navy had 19 naval vessels. Four of them were sunk during the conflict, and nine rigid-hull inflatables were captured by Russia. The Georgians raised and returned to service two of the sunken vessels, and partially replaced their losses with Turkish-built patrol/fast attack boats.
=== National Guard of Georgia ===
The [[National Guard of Georgia]] was established on 20 December 1990 and was manned mainly by volunteers. It represents the first Georgian armed formation, which became the base of the foundation for modern Defence Forces of Georgia. The Guard actively participated in the conflicts that occurred in Georgian territory (Samachablo, Abkhazia).
The National Guard used to consist of 20,554 personnel, but has now been reduced to 550.
#Support civil government in crisis situations (natural, technological, ecological);
#Register mobilization resources, study and deliver;
#Convene, select and man of citizens on the basis of the agreement, for the units, subunits and bases of the Defence Forces;
#Provide ceremonial activity support;
#Assisting in training the Reserve Forces.
=== Army Reserve and Territorial Defence Forces ===
The Army Reserve is a professional reserve force consisting of former regular army personnel only. Due to the amount of experience, the Reserve personnel would be drawn from to replace losses in the ranks of regular formations, but will if needed operate in the vanguard of a combined mechanized group or an infantry assault.
The Territorial Defence Forces were established for immediate readiness of the population in crisis events, such as war. Its main goals would be the fortification and defence of all populated and strategically important areas as well as providing quick aid or security for evacuation operations in case of natural catastrophes.
Other than the active army reserve which consists of only ex military personnel, the Territorial Defence Forces are rather sparsely prepared for complex military operations. It instead provides more comfort for the regular forces in case of war, by acting as an additional logistical arm and leaving the actual combat to the regular forces. With the land forces and reserve army engaged in direct action, the Defence Force's most important task would be to construct trenches, bunkers and obstacles around strategically important areas and position themselves on systematically formed defensive lines. Mobilization capacity is around 140,000 troops and is reasonably large.
The TDF reservist is comparably poorly equipped for modern warfare. It is rumored that Georgia possess thousands of firearms of all types and infantry personal protection equipment inherited from the Soviet Union which could be used by reservists. Georgia also possess few dozen [[T-54/T-55|T-55]] tanks that are in storage that could be used by the reservist forces.
=== Commissioned officers ===
{{Main article|Officer (armed forces)}}
{| 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 Armies/OF/Georgia}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Georgia}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|}
== International cooperation ==
[[File:Exercise Noble Partner 20 Load Up.jpg|thumb|338x338px|[[Medical evacuation|MEDEVAC]] training with the US Army [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60L]] helicopter during exercise Noble Partner 20.]]
[[File:Noble Partner 2017 (36459634845).jpg|thumb|246x246px|A Bradley IFV from US Army Armored Regiment (Iron Knights) maneuvers across Vaziani Military Base for Noble Partner 17.]]
The Georgian Defence Forces frequently have large scale military drills involving heavy armor and parachute units with their NATO counterparts on Georgian soil to increase interoperability.
=== Peacekeeping missions ===
{{Main article|Role of Georgia in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Role of Georgia in the Iraq War}}
About 200 Georgian troops were deployed in the Kosovo ([[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]) in 1999–2008, 70 were deployed in Iraq ([[Operation Iraqi Freedom|OIF]]) in 2003 and 50 in Afghanistan in 2004 ([[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]). From 2004 in Iraq were 300 Georgian troops. From 2005 approximately 850 troops were serving under Coalition Command ([[Operation Iraqi Freedom|OIF]] and [[United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq|UNAMI]]). In July 2007 Georgia sent an extra 1,400 troops to [[Iraq]]; that brought the total number of troops in Iraq to 2,000. About 300 of these troops were assigned to Taskforce Petro and stationed at COP Cleary outside the town of Wahida near Salman Pak, Iraq. On 8 August 2008 Georgia announced it will withdraw 1,000 troops from Iraq due to rising hostilities with Russia. Their preparedness and training skills are evaluated on highest level by international experts. The entire Iraq contingent has been airlifted back to Georgia.
Hence, owing to participation in international [[peacekeeping]] missions the military members are able to obtain practical experience and to show readiness to cooperate with [[NATO]] and with other partner countries' forces.
Currently there are more than 1,570 Georgian combat troops  deployed in [[Helmand]], [[Afghanistan]] where Georgia has thus far suffered 22 deaths and over a hundred injuries.<ref>[http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23895 Tenth Georgia Soldier Killed in Afghanistan] Retrieved: 1 September 2011</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Seth Robson |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/u-s-training-a-dual-mission-for-georgians-1.136920 |title=U.S. training a dual mission for Georgians |publisher=Stripes.com |access-date=2011-06-13}}</ref> In September 2012, Georgia stated that it would continue its contributions in Afghanistan following the 2014 NATO withdrawal.<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/georgia_will_continue_its_contribution_for_nato_mission_in_afghanistan_in_post-2014_period_1009122.html Georgia keeps helping Afghanistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205743/http://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/georgia_will_continue_its_contribution_for_nato_mission_in_afghanistan_in_post-2014_period_1009122.html |date=2015-04-02 }} – Armyrecognition.com, 10 September 2012</ref>
In November 2012, Georgia had doubled the number of troops deployed to fight with Nato-led forces in Afghanistan to over 1,500. Georgia has 1,570 troops serving there, making the small Caucasus country of 4.5 million people the largest non-Nato contributor to the Afghanistan mission.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.khaama.com/georgia-doubles-number-of-troops-in-afghanistan-1040 |title=Georgia doubles number of troops in Afghanistan |publisher=Khaama Press (KP), Afghan Online Newspaper |date=28 November 2012}}</ref>
Since 2014 Georgia has contributed 140 troops to the [[EUFOR RCA]] peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, Georgia also contributes its military units to Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.[[File:Georgian Army - Operations abroad since 1991.png|thumb|Operations abroad since 1991.|left|358x358px]]
[[File:GeorgianArmy.jpg|thumb|Georgian troops listening to a speech in Baghdad, Iraq|254x254px]][[File:Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Visits Camp Leatherneck 2013 09.jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers in Camp Leatherneck|center|238x238px]]
== Commanders ==
{{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>
== Military industry ==
{{Main article|STC Delta}}
[[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 Army 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.
As of 2007 Georgia has been domestically producing uniforms for its military personnel. Other main production lines include various types of artillery systems such as [[multiple rocket launcher|MLRS]], mortars and corresponding ammunition, anti-tank weapons and devices, full uniform sets for ceremonies and for all service branches, including boots, hats, assault vests, pouches, and backpacks. New kind of ballistic vests and helmets have been developed and produced for military service since 2013. The Georgian production uses techniques based on know-how from aerospace research whose methods differ slightly yet significantly from foreign ones. In 2018 plans were announced for decisive expansions in manufacturing capabilities. With assistance from the United States and Israel, a weapon manufacturing plant was established for the development and production of [[AR-15]] based firearms.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://rustavi2.ge/en/news/213318| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211029195836/https://rustavi2.ge/en/news/213318| archive-date = 2021-10-29| title = Production of an automatic rifle of NATO standards GI-4 (5.56) starts in Georgia {{!}} Rustavi2}}</ref>
[[File:Tbilisi, Georgia — Lazika IFV on military exhibition of Independence day, May 26, 2012 (1).jpg|thumb|306x306px|Georgian made [[Lazika|Lazika IFV]]]]
[[File:Didgori-2 later.jpg|left|thumb|281x281px|Georgian made [[Didgori-2]]]]
[[File:Didgori medevac.jpg|center|thumb|277x277px|Georgian made [[Didgori Medevac]]]]
== Bases ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name!!Location
|-
|Ministry of Defence Headquarters
|[[Tbilisi]]
|-
|[[Vaziani Military Base]]
|near [[Tbilisi]]
|-
|[[Krtsanisi National Training Centre|Krtsanisi Military Base]]
|near [[Tbilisi]]
|-
|Akhalkalaki Military Base
|[[Akhalkalaki]]
|-
|Alekseevka Airbase
|near [[Tbilisi]]
|-
|Marneuli Airbase
|[[Marneuli]]
|-
|Bolnisi Airbase
|near [[Tbilisi]]
|-
|Gori Military Base
|[[Gori, Georgia|Gori]]
|-
|Senaki Military Base
|[[Senaki]]
|-
|Mukhrovani Military Base
|[[Mukhrovani]]
|-
|Kutaisi Military Base
|[[Kutaisi]]
|-
|Khelvachauri Military Base
|[[Khelvachauri]]
|-
|Khoni Military Base
|[[Khoni]]
|}
==See also==
*[[Georgia and NATO]]
*[[List of equipment of the Defense Forces of Georgia|List of equipment of the Defence Forces of Georgia]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{StateDept}} 2005
{{CIA World Factbook|year=2005}}
==Further reading==
*Denise Hammick, Country Briefing: Georgia On the Cusp, [[Jane's Defence Weekly]], 2 January 2008
==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of Georgia}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052953/http://www.geo-army.ge/ geo-army.ge, an information website] (archived)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121207132407/http://www.mod.gov.ge/2007/downloads/The_Strategic_Defence_Review(www.mod.gov.ge).pdf Ministry of Defence of Georgia: The Strategic Defence Review 2007] (archived). ''mod.gov.ge''. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/georgia/mod.htm GlobalSecurity.org on Georgia's military]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001817/http://www.mod.gov.ge/?l=E&m=5&sm=5 Ministry of the defence of Georgia: Armed Forces of Georgia] (archived). Retrieved 6 March 2009.
*[http://www.militaria.ge/ Military Heraldry of Georgian Armed Forces].
{{Georgia (country) topics}}
{{Georgian security forces}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Military of Georgia (country)| ]]