2018-10-01
"Our main goal is to develop military forces of modern standards and defense capabilities, which will be fully compatible with NATO standards. We will not spare an effort to achieve this goal" stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia in his speech delivered at the keynote event marking the Military Aviation Day today.
As noted by the Head of the Government of Georgia, air space of the country is one of the most significant components of defense capability and its protection is a matter of dignity for the country. According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, allies and partners provide invaluable support to Georgia in this task.
"I congratulate this day to everyone, who is protecting the air space of the country - each military pilot, entire air forces. I wish to thank every one of you for the loyal and selfless work. In your face our country now has professional, high caliber cadre, who are getting closer to the international standards day after day. Georgian military aviation has a track record of 26 years, though its history dates 100 years back to 1918, when the First Democratic Republic of Georgia came to existence. It is when the first military aviation regiment was created. We take pride in having many achievements made by our military pilots while protecting the independence and sovereignty of Georgia" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
As noted by the Head of the Government of Georgia, improvement of air defense capability is one of the initiatives of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP).
"It is what conditions our special strategic relations with France, which is supporting us greatly in this endeavor. Air defense systems are now in Georgia - radio location stations and close reach zenith and rocket systems, which were imported on the grounds of contracts concluded with French manufacturers. From now on, Georgian air space will be more protected and effectively controlled" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to the Head of the Government of Georgia, apart from the air defense capability of the country, strategic partner - United States of America - will support and assist Georgia in improving the air transport and logistic capacity of the military aviation of Georgia.
"We are also upgrading our pool of helicopters through repair, maintenance and modernization. It will facilitate the formation of substantially new sub-division with Wester European standards. It will create a solid foundation for the gradual substitution of outdated hardware with modern flying machines. As a result, the country will have helicopters of substantially higher capacity, which will effectively tackle not only tasks of the Ministry of Defense, but will also get engaged in the emergency response measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and fires - if need be" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Prior to the ceremony, Head of the Government of Georgia laid wreth of garland at the memorial of military servicemen fallen for the territorial integrity of the country. Guests invited to the keynote event stood in solemn silence for a minute in the memory of military servicemen fallen in international missions and for the territorial integrity of the country.
Event marking the International Aviation Day has been held at the Mixed Aviation Base of Alekseevka, with a display of radio location stations and close reach zenith rocket systems commissioned under the contracts concluded with French manufacturers. Levan Izoria, Minister of Defense of Georgia and Head of General Staff addressed the audience gathered at the keynote event.
Prime Minister's Press Office