Editing Defence Forces of Georgia (section)

== 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]]]]