Today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, accompanied by Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, visited the Army City construction site on Mount Makhata.
The Head of Government familiarized himself with the details of this project for Georgian service members. The Georgian Government's policy intends all the best for the army, and care for our service members will continue, the Prime Minister emphasized.
The construction of Army City will be finalized in late 2022. The project involves seven 39-story buildings with 1,092 apartments to be constructed on Mount Makhata. Service members will be able to purchase residences on concessional terms with maximally affordable financial obligations. In particular, 50% co-financing will be employed. Instead of a private company, the Defense Ministry's construction film will be engaged, thereby reducing the capital cost significantly. Service members will enjoy 0% in-house financing instead of a bank loan. The estimated cost of residential spaces will be about 200 USD per m2, with service members paying only 100 USD per m2. This unprecedented offer will apply to service members based on preset criteria.
This project will continue, to which end amendments will be made to the Defense Code to allow officers ranked major and above, with master sergeants and sergeants ranked higher, to receive apartments, an unprecedented decision toward recognizing and appreciating the contributions of service members, and a move toward improving their living conditions drastically.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Minister of Defence of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze hosted Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia Kelly Degnan. The sides discussed the security environment in the region and the threats posed by Russia. MOD of Georgia announced it recently.

The sides focused on current issues and future plans for US-Georgia bilateral defence and security cooperation, including planned high-level visits and multinational military exercises.

During the visit of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to Georgia, a multi-year initiative about strengthening Georgia's defence and deterrence policy signed between the two countries' defence ministries was one of the main topics of discussion.

It was underlined that the progress made as a result of the implementation of the Georgian Defence Readiness Program (GDRP) formed the basis of the agreement, which aims to further modernize and develop the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces and supports the country's resilience and capabilities within total defence. The US Defene Attaché, Colonel Stephanie Begley attended the meeting.

Georgian Prime Minister, together with Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, attended today's presentation of a new reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by the state army scientific and technical center Delta.
The Head of Government inspected the new reconnaissance vehicle and was briefed by Delta's constructors about its tactical and technical characteristics.
The new reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by Delta fully meets the Defense Force's requirements and international standards.
This armored 330-horsepower reconnaissance vehicle, accommodating 7 service members, is protected from bullets of different calibers. The vehicle's speed on asphalt is up to 100 kph, also technically being able to cross 60-meter trenches, 40-cm vertical steps and, without preliminary preparation, 80-cm water depths. The new armored vehicle is designed to carry various types of reconnaissance equipment and remote combat modules.
Delta manufactures armored machinery for various purposes and of diverse capabilities. The reconnaissance vehicle model in discussion is the first of its kind to be manufactured by the center. Batch reconnaissance machinery production and export is also planned for the future.
The Prime Minister also inspected Delta-manufactured army uniforms, grenade launchers of various calibers, and off-route anti-tank mines.
Irakli Garibashvili also visited Delta CAA, a joint Georgian-Israeli weapons manufacturer, where he familiarized himself with the process of weapon production utilizing the latest equipment. The Georgian-Israeli weapons manufacturer uses the latest equipment to ensure top-notch galvanization, chroming, and anodizing. The equipment is environmentally safe and meets international standards.
For the presentation of the new reconnaissance vehicle, the Prime Minister was joined by Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces/Brigadier General Joni Tatunashvili, Deputy Defense Minister Zurab Azarashvili, Delta's CEO, and representatives of the Defense Forces.

Press Service of the Government Administration

The Chief of the Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces General Enzo Vecciarelli pays an official visit to Georgia. The Italian General met with the Minister of Defence of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze. At the meeting the Georgian Defence Minister extended gratefulness for Italy’s political support to Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and on the path to NATO integration. Georgia’s NATO and EU integration aspirations and active efforts of the defence segment of Italy towards development of Georgia’s defence capabilities and NATO standards were highlighted during the meeting. The sides talked about existing bilateral relations in defence sphere and future plans of cooperation.

After the meeting with the Defence Minister, General Enzo Vecciarelli was hosted by his Georgian counterpart, Major-General Giorgi Matiashvili. The colleagues discussed the ways of further boosting the existing bilateral defence relations at the tête-à-tête meeting that was followed by meeting attended by the leadership of the General Staff of the Georgian Defence Forces and Italian delegation. The sides discussed various activities in the framework of bilateral military cooperation, NATO-Georgia cooperation, joint participation in the large scale multinational exercises and other areas of cooperation. Georgia’s contribution to international security was underlined at the meeting. The sides expressed hope that existing close cooperation in defence sphere will strengthen further in the future.

Today, the Generals visited the Heros’ Square to pay tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes in fights for the territorial integrity of Georgia and laid a wreath at the memorial.

In the framework of the visit, the Italian delegation will also visit the NATO-Georgia Joint Trainings and Evaluation Center (JTEC).

Press Service of the MOD Georgia

The representatives of Jewish enterprise and Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze signed a mutual cooperation agreement on Wednesday to produce M4 carbines at the State Military Scientific-Technical Center DELTA area by the end of 2021.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the weapons made in the enterprise will be handed over to the Defense Forces. Also, product export is planned.

A new Georgian-Jewish enterprise will launch at the State Military Scientific-Technical Center DELTA area to produce M4 carbines by the end of 2021, Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze briefed MPs within the ministerial hour on Thursday.

Moreover, Georgia has active talks with South African and Polish companies to set up a joint venture for small and large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) at Delta, Minister stressed. The agreement will be signed this year, and UAV production will kick off in 2022.

Burchuladze added that Georgia would also secure an additional batch of Javelin Missiles from the US.

“It is critical to strengthen the defence capabilities, especially via the introduction of modern, NATO-standard weapons to maintain and greatly enhance the readiness of the defence forces,” the minister underscored.

As part of the United States’ commitment to strengthening the Georgian Defense Forces (GDF), Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commanding General, made an official visit to Tbilisi. Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze welcomed Gen. Cavoli March 15-17 and reaffirmed the shared commitment to security cooperation.
The visit provided an opportunity for Gen. Cavoli and Minister Burchuladze to discuss regional security challenges, mutual security cooperation initiatives and perspectives of future cooperation. Joint training and exercises were highlighted, including plans for upcoming multinational exercise Agile Spirit, which is scheduled to be held in the summer of 2021 in Georgia.
Gen. Cavoli also met with Georgian Chief of Defense Major General Giorgi Matiashvili and discussed the successful progress of the GDF within the Georgia Defense Readiness Program (GDRP), which focuses on enhancing Georgia’s ability to staff, equip and train its forces, as well as post-GDRP security cooperation priorities. Gen. Cavoli praised the growing leadership role and enhanced capabilities of the Georgians in the U.S. - Georgia military relationship.
In addition, Gen. Cavoli visited the Vaziani training area where the GDRP –Training (GDRP-T) team focuses specifically on enhancing Georgia’s ability to train its forces. The Georgian Defense Forces maintain a high-level of training for its international missions and the GDRP-T mission enhances Georgia’s interoperability and strengthens the country’s territorial defense capabilities. U.S. and Georgian forces are proud to serve side-by-side in the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and around the world.

Press Service of the MOD