The Small Arms of the Georgian Army
Georgia is a small nation located at the crucial intersection of Europe and Asia. It has a rich history of conflict and is situated in the beautiful Caucasus Mountains. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia regained its independence on 9 April 1991. Upon achieving independence, the country inherited a stockpile of Soviet small arms. Though inheriting legacy systems, it faced a significant shortage of modern military equipment, which became increasingly critical due to its geopolitical situation, particularly concerning Russia.
Georgia has been actively pursuing NATO membership to enhance national security and build closer ties with Western nations, moving away from its historical association with the Soviet Union and Russia. This aspiration has been pivotal in Georgia’s transition toward adopting Western-made weapons and ammunition. Since the Rose Revolution in 2003, the country has worked to strengthen its relationships with Western Nations. Alignment with NATO reflects Georgia’s commitment to securing vital security guarantees and the importance of modernizing its military forces to meet NATO standards.
Ministry of Defense of Georgia statement from February 2021:
“The Georgian Defense Forces are actively conducting the arms modernization process. With the support of the U.S., the Georgian Defence Forces have received new types of machine guns and grenade launchers. Military units are already equipped with the M2 12.7 mm machine guns and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers MK 19. The Georgian Defense Forces have additionally received the U.S made NATO 5,56 mm caliber M249 light machine guns.
The Georgian and American instructors of the Combat Training Center (CTC) conducted test-firing at the shooting range in Vaziani. It is essential to highlight that, these types of weapons increase the firepower of the units and help them to effectively operate on the battlefield. Equipping Georgian Defense Forces with new machine guns and grenade launchers is a part of a more comprehensive and all-encompassing process that aims to fully upgrade and modernize GDF’s armaments and equipment. This process will ultimately enhance the defense capabilities of Georgia and increase interoperability with the partner countries` military forces.”
Source: With the U.S. support the Georgian Defense Forces have been equipped with new weapons – News – MOD.GOV.GE
In recent years, Georgia’s defense policy has shifted toward re-equipping its military with American and other Western-produced weapons. This change is part of a broader strategy to eliminate reliance on Soviet-era arms and improve the overall effectiveness of the Georgian Defence Forces.
The United States has been crucial in supporting Georgia’s military modernization efforts. Initiatives like the Train and Equip Program have significantly enhanced Georgia’s military capabilities through training and the provision of modern equipment. This partnership has expanded to include substantial military assistance, featuring the delivery of advanced weaponry such as Javelin anti-tank systems in 2018 and more traditional small arms, including the M2A1 heavy machine guns and MK19 and M249 light machine guns in 2021. Furthermore, the introduction of the M4 carbine began in 2005, while the rollout of the M240 started around 2017.
Despite ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces, Georgia continues to rely on legacy Soviet and Russian weapon systems. For instance, the Arsenal Bulgaria 7.62×54 PKM general-purpose machine guns are currently being phased out. Additionally, the RPG-7 remains in active use. The transition is gradual due to financial constraints and ongoing challenges in achieving a fully modernized defense force.
The ongoing tensions with Russia, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 conflict over South Ossetia and Abkhazia and their current occupation, have highlighted the necessity for Georgia to strengthen its defense capabilities in the face of potential challenges from Moscow. By transitioning to Western weapons systems, Georgia seeks to enhance its defensive posture and reflect its commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration amid a complex regional landscape.
As of 2024, the Georgian government has decided to pause the ongoing integration process into the European Union, which may also have implications for the country’s progression toward NATO membership. The continuing political shift in Georgia has caused the US to pause government aid because “the Georgian government’s anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO.” This includes further military equipment and weapons to modernize the Georgian military further. (Source: United States to Pause Assistance to the Government of Georgia – United States Department of State).
