November 10 is the 29th anniversary of the founding of the 5th Artillery Brigade of the Georgian Defense Forces. The solemn event was held in Vaziani, on the territory of the Artillery Brigade. Brigadier General Roland Dzneladze, Commander of the Eastern Defense Forces of Georgia, congratulated the personnel gathered at the square. During the speech, he wished the artillerymen success and thanked them for their worthy service to the homeland. The event continued with an award ceremony. Today, the guests and the leaders of the brigade laid a wreath at the Heroes' Memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the heroes who died in the battles for the territorial integrity of Georgia. 

The 5th Artillery Brigade has a long combat history. During the existence, the brigade has changed its name many times. In June 2018, a structural reorganization implemented, as a result of which the First Artillery Brigade was formed as the 5th Artillery Brigade of the Eastern Command.

MOD of Georgia

International multinational military exercise Agile Spirit marks its jubilee. It is the 10th time Georgia hosts Agile Spirit. This year the most large-scale multinational military exercise will be held from July 26 through August 6. This is reported by the administration of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.

Agile Spirit 2021 aims to enhance interoperability among the forces of NATO member and partner countries, to improve and strengthen operational capabilities during planning and execution of operations in real time within multinational environment, to improve cooperation in multinational readiness and security sphere. Agile Spirit 2021 promotes regional stability and security, as well as strengthens capabilities of Alliance member and partner countries to react to regional crises and challenges more effectively. That’s why the main message of the Agile Spirit 2021 is - “Strength through Partnership”.

The 10th Agile Spirit 2021 is distinctive and larger scale rather than the previous exercises:

For the first time Georgian-made armored vehicles Didgori Meomari and Didgori MedEvac will participate in the international multinational exercise.

The number of the countries participating in the exercise is large – this year 15 NATO member and partner countries are involved in it, including: Georgia, USA, UK, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Azerbaijan, Spain, Canada, Italy and Lithuania. More than 2500 military of 15 countries will take part in Agile Spirit 2021.

The training theatre is also large-scale, which will be expanded to five locations – II Infantry Brigade in Senaki, Sorta/Eki training area, Orpolo rifle range, Vaziani rifle range and Vaziani military aerodrome.

For the first time in the history of multinational exercises conducted in Georgia, a combined airborne operation with the participation of military from Georgia, USA, UK, Poland and UK will be held within Agile Spirit 2021.

One more novelty within the 10th Agile Spirit is the direction of Special Operation Forces. For the first time in the history of multinational exercises conducted in Georgia, Special Operation Forces from Georgia, USA, UK, Romania and Poland will perform combined operations in renovated and modernized Sorta training area.

The multinational military training is complex and its scenario includes command, staff and field trainings with airborne operations and live fire, as well as with the engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations.

On 11 February 2021 at Vaziani training area, Georgian and U.S. soldiers participated in a live-fire exercise, using recently delivered 100 MK19 grenade launchers and 200 M2 machine guns. These NATO-interoperable weapons, fielded in units from the platoon to battalion level, are part of a larger, $18M effort to outfit the Georgian Defense Forces with new weapon systems. This exercise reiterated the United States’ and Georgia’s strong partnership and cooperation on defense and security.

U.S. Embassy in Georgia

On February 5, 2021, Georgian Chief of Defense, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili presided over the opening ceremony of the Georgia Defense Readiness Program (GDRP) at Vaziani Training Area. 

GDRP, a three-month training, and readiness program, which includes unit-level training and live-fire exercises, will prepare the Georgian 22nd Infantry Battalion to conduct wartime missions in defense of their nation and in support of multinational missions around the world.

Maj Gen Matiashvili was joined at the ceremony by command teams from Land Forces West, the 2nd Brigade, Georgia’s Training and Military Education Command, members of the United States’ Task Force Ascalon, and the US Office of Defense Cooperation.  The Georgia Defense Readiness Program further highlights the deep and continuing relationship between Georgian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.

From September 7 through September 18 multinational exercise Noble Partner 2020 will be held at the Vaziani military aerodrome, the Vaziani drill ground and the Norio training area. Noble Partner 2020 will be officially opened at IV Mechanized Brigade, Vaziani on September 7. Prior to the official opening ceremony of NP20, an airborne operation will occur at VTA on September 1 by the 173rd Airborne Brigade (US) using C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Noble Partner is a cooperatively-led multinational training exercise in its fifth iteration which is aimed to enhance Georgian, U.S. and partner forces readiness and interoperability, as well as to contribute in maintaining stable and secure environment over the Black Sea region. That’s why the main message of the Noble Partner is - “Strength through Partnership”.

This year totally more than 2700 military servicemen from Georgia, USA, the UK, Poland and France will participate in multinational training. Together with the armored and combat vehicles, as well as artillery systems being in the armament of the Georgian Defense Forces, U.S. air support and armored vehicles will be engaged in the training.

The scenario of the combined multinational exercise includes command, staff and field training with live fire, engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in stability, defensive and offensive operations.

Three (3) media days are scheduled within Noble Partner 2020:

September 1 – 173rd Airborne Brigade’s airborne operation.

September 7 - Official opening ceremony of the exercise;

September 18 – DV Day/Closing ceremony

Media representatives interested in covering the above-mentioned events should apply for accreditation at the Ministry of Defense of Georgia starting from August 26 and ending on August 28 at 18:00 local time. Separate accreditation cards will be issued before each event.

For accreditation, please send the data requested below to the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The military servicemen of the 43rd Battalion were awarded with medals for participating in Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. The awarding ceremony was held in IV Mechanized Brigade, Vaziani.

Military servicemen of the 43rd Battalion received the medals “For Participation in Peacekeeping Operations” from NATO and Georgian side. 25 military were awarded with MoD service medals - “General Kvinitadze”, “Devoted for Homeland” and “Giorgi Antsukhelidze” for their special merit in the mission. 

Brigadier General Alexander Kiknadze addressed the 43rd Battalion and expressed gratitude for their successful fulfillment of the mission.  

The 43rd Battalion of IV Mechanized Brigade carried out Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan under the U.S. Command for eight months.   

From July 27 through August 9, Georgia will host the most large-scale multinational military exercise Agile Spirit 2019. The exercise will officially be opened at II Infantry Brigade in Senaki on July 27.

Agile Spirit 2019 is being conducted in Georgia for the ninth time and is aimed to enhance interoperability, train and improve operational capabilities of exercise participants during planning and execution of operations in real time within multinational environment; as well as making contribution in maintaining stable and secure environment over the Black Sea region. That’s why the main message of the Agile Spirit 2019 is - “Strength through Partnership”.

This time the exercise will be held on three locations – II Infantry Brigade in Senaki, Orpolo and Vaziani fire ranges. More than 3000 military servicemen of NATO member and partner countries will participate in Agile Spirit 2019.  The following 14 countries are engaged in the exercise: Georgia, USA, UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.

The scenario of the combined multinational exercise includes command, staff and field trainings with live fire, engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations.  

Media representatives interested in covering the above-mentioned multinational exercise should apply for accreditation at the Ministry of Defense of Georgia starting from July 20 and ending on July 25 at 18:00 local time.  Separate accreditation cards will be issued before each of the events.

For accreditation, please send the data requested below to the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Representatives of Georgia's state institutions, including the Administration of the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have held several meetings with Nikoloz Cherkezishvili who is conducting a sit-in demanding employment in the public sector.
On the first day of direct action of protest, representatives of the Administration of the Government offered Nikoloz Cherkezishvili to enter the building, an offer he declined. In addition, an ambulance crew is standing by 24/7 near the Administration of the Government.
At the meetings with representatives of the Administration of the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikoloz Cherkezishvili was informed that his employment at the Foreign Ministry had been terminated in line with all relevant legal procedures, as evidenced, among others, the decision of the Tbilisi Municipal Court which denied Nikoloz Cherkezishvili's claim.
In addition, Nikoloz Cherkezishvili has successfully participated in the initial stage of a competition announced by the Ministry of Justice, yet, despite being notified on numerous occasions, he failed to report for the following testing stage.
During the meetings with representatives of state institutions, it was explained explicitly to Nikoloz Cherkezishvili, who is seeking employment in the public sector, that the only route to this end is participation in a competition.
Notably, the Civil Service Bureau currently offers 213 openings, including procurement. According to the Civil Service Bureau, the only plausible way to public service employment is participation in a competition.
Nonetheless, Nikoloz Cherkezishvili continues to demand employment with the Ministry of Justice, which is infeasible in the absence of relevant vacancies and participation in a competition.
As for veteran Vepkhia Ghvaladze, a father in a large family who is also conducting direct action today by the Administration of the Government of Georgia, demanding employment, legalization of real estate ownership rights in Tbilisi to his name, furniture and livestock, the state has provided him with assistance on numerous occasions. Ghvaladze's large family owns one hectare of land and a house in the Bolnisi District and receives up to 1,000 per month assistance from the state. The Bolnisi Gamgeoba is repairing the house of this large family and supplies it with essential consumer goods and furniture. The local self-governing body has purchased two heads of cattle for them. In addition, Vepkhia Ghvaladze's wife has received 10,000 USD from the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation as a compensation for her apartment. One of the members of the Ghvaladze family uses, whenever necessary, a special program of the Ministry of Health.
As a veteran, Vepkhia Ghvaladze has received an employment offer from the State Service of Veterans Affairs, with a 1,000 GEL monthly salary. Ghvaladze declines this offer. Representatives of the State Service of Veterans Affairs have repeatedly provided Vepkhia Ghvaladze with monetary assistance as well.
In addition, Vepkhia Ghvaladze demands two houses in Ponichala and Vaziani be legally registered as his properties. Vepkhia Ghvaladze has been residing in the so-called Army Settlement, Ponichala for several years, and he is not facing any danger of eviction. In Vaziani, Ghvaladze occupies an apartment in a building or refugees, which has yet to be certified as acceptable and thus is not safe for residence. A court dispute related to this building continues, which makes it impossible to register an apartment in this unsafe building until the case is resolved in court.
During the meetings with representatives of the Administration of the Government, after he was offered assistance under the programs run by the Ministry of Agriculture, Vepkhia Ghvaladze changed his demand-which included purchasing by the state of 100 goats and 10 heads of cattle-to a state-financed tractor and a permit to collect scrap metal. He was informed, however, that the state does not own tractors and is not authorized to issue scrap metal collection permits.
In addition, Vepkhia Ghvaladze turned down an offer from a certain businessperson who volunteered to purchase 10 goats and two heads of cattle for Ghvaladze's large family.

The Administration of the Government respects freedom of expression, but also believes extreme measures toward achieving one's goals to be unwarranted.

The 33rd Course of the First Level Assessment Team of North Atlantic Treaty Alliance launched at the IV Mechanized Brigade Base in Vaziani. Up to 40 officers from19 countries are taking part in the course aimed at enhancing interoperability of the NATO partner countries` military forces with NATO.
East Commander of the Georgian Armed Forces COL Shavegeo Tabatadze and NATO Assessment Team Director, Macedonian Armed Forces Lieutenant Colonel Igor kuzmanoski delivered a welcome speech.
Along with the Georgian side, the representatives of NATO member and partner countries took part in the training. After this course, they will attend the training of Charley Company of the 12th Battalion of IV Mechanized Brigade participating in NATO Response Force  and evaluate their  combat capabilities.

“All such trainings are more guarantee to be close with NATO but the proximity of the armed forces is not enough for NATO membership”-this statement was made by the Defence Minister of Georgia Tina Khidasheli in Vaziani in the frames of Noble Partner 2016. According to her, a consensus all the member states is needed to be the member of NATO.
“The fact that NATO’s military forces have been here, in Georgia is too important and progressive step but it is not enough,”-Tina Khidasheli said.