Editing Defence Forces of Georgia (section)

== Structure ==
The Defence Forces of Georgia consist of four branches: [[Georgian Land Forces|Land Forces]], [[Georgian Air Force|Air Force]], [[National Guard of Georgia|National Guard]], and [[Georgian Special Operations Forces|Special Operations Forces]].<ref name="law">{{cite act |title=საქართველოს თავდაცვის შესახებ |trans-title=On Defense of Georgia |type=Law |number=1030 |language=ka |date=31 October 2018 |article= |article-type= |page= |url=https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/28330?publication=16}}</ref>

The overall command is exercised by the [[Chief of Defence Forces of Georgia|Chief of Defence Forces]], who is aided by the [[General Staff of the Defence Forces of Georgia|General Staff of the Defence Forces]]. The Defence Forces are further organized into several structural units:<ref name="law"/>
 
* Eastern Command
* Western Command 
* Air and Air Defence Command
* Special Operations Forces 
* Military Training and Education Command
* Army Logistics Command
* National Guard
* Military Police
* Department of Military Intelligence

In wartime, several other bodies fall under the control of the Defence Forces additionally. These are:<ref name="law"/> 
* [[Border Police of Georgia]], a subordinate agency of the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia]]
* Department of Special Operations - Public Security Forces, a subunit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
* Department for Protection of Strategic Pipelines, a subunit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
* Department for Protection of Strategic Infrastructure, a subunit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
* [[National Defence Academy (Georgia)|National Defence Academy]] of Georgia, a legal entity under the Ministry of Defence
* [[Gori Military Hospital|Military Hospital of the Ministry of Defence]]
* Cybersecurity Bureau, a legal entity under the Ministry of Defence
* Data Exchange Agency, a legal entity under the [[Ministry of Justice of Georgia]].

The Eastern Command and its Western counterpart are two main regional operational groupings, respectively, for eastern and western Georgia. They were created in the 2010s in order to have two autonomous territorial commands, with their own military staffs, logistical and administrative resources.

=== Branches ===
The Land Forces form the largest component of the DFG responsible for providing land defence against any threat to the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting Border Police in border protection and civil authorities in counter-terrorist operations as well as providing units for NATO-led and coalition operations abroad. They are organized into infantry brigades, artillery and other supporting capacities operating at a battalion level.<ref name="review">The Strategic Defense Review (2007), p. 74.</ref>

The Special Operations Forces are responsible for conducting special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. The Georgian National Guard organizes and trains reservists in the peacetime and mobilizes them during a crisis or wartime.<ref name="review"/>

==== Ground arms ====
{{main article|Georgian Land Forces}}
The structure of the [[Georgian Land Forces]] is based on [[brigade]] and [[battalion]]-sized military units. The main force consists of four infantry, one special operations, two artillery, one air defence brigades and several independent battalions. Georgian brigades have a total manpower of 3,000 each excluding non-combat personnel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=-10&Id=25&lang=1 |title=Structure of Land Forces |publisher=Mod.gov.ge |access-date=2013-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105133928/http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=-10&Id=25&lang=1 |archive-date=2013-11-05 }}</ref> The overall strength of the land forces in 2013 was 37,825 (excluding active reserve), from which 21 were high-ranking officers, 6,166 officers and sergeants, 28,477 corporals and privates, 125 cadets and 388 civilians.<ref name="milkavkaz.net">{{cite web|url=http://milkavkaz.net/?q=node/8 |title=Вооружённые силы Грузии |publisher=milkavkaz.net |date=2009-10-13 |access-date=2013-08-17}}</ref> Accordingly, to reach NATO structures and higher standards the brigades were downsized to optimal as well as the 5th brigade disbanded, also to increase the percentage of spending on arms acquirement, which was previously 2%, to 6% of the military budget. The goal is to reach at least 15% until 2020. The ground forces are equipped with a variety of weapons and vehicles. Special forces operate independently under MOD direction.

The Georgian Land Force consists of following primary combat formations (incomplete):<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/?l=E&m=5&sm=5 |title=Georgian Ministry of Defence: Land Force |publisher=Mod.gov.ge |access-date=2013-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001817/http://www.mod.gov.ge/?l=E&m=5&sm=5 |archive-date=2014-03-23 }}</ref>

==== Force composition ====
[[File:Georgian T-72Sim1 01.jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers, 44th Armored Battalion, drive a T-72 tank into a fighting position during a combined training exercise, Vaziani, Republic of Georgia, Aug. 6, 2017.]]
[[File:Georgian soldiers provide security (7691328372).jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the 32nd Battalion conducting pre-deployment training, 2012]]
[[File:130703-M-YH552-899 (9241524618).jpg|thumb|Georgian soldiers of 33rd Battalion and US Marines board a MV-22B Osprey during the Georgian lead operation Northern Lion II, 2013]]
[[File:Georgian mission rehearsal exercise 150218-A-LO967-010.jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the 43rd Mechanized Battalion during exercises, 2015]]
[[File:Georgian army soldier - 1, GDRP.jpg|thumb|Georgian army soldier takes down grid coordinates during Defence Readiness Program-Training, 2018]]

* '''HQ, Land Forces Command ([[Tbilisi]])'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/assets/up-modul/uploads/pdf/General-Staff-Structure-ENG.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915193348/https://mod.gov.ge/assets/up-modul/uploads/pdf/General-Staff-Structure-ENG.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-15 |url-status=live|title=საქართველოს თავდაცვის სამინისტრო|website=www.mod.gov.ge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://georgianarmy.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/46/ | title=საქართველოს სახმელეთო ჯარების სტრუქტურა | date=21 November 2010 }}</ref>
** Central Command Point
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Eastern Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Operational Command East'''
**'''1st Infantry Brigade ([[Tbilisi]])'''
***11th Light Infantry Battalion 
***12th Light Infantry Battalion - [[NATO Response Force|NRF]]
***[[13th "Shavnabada" Light Infantry Battalion|13th Light Infantry Battalion]] 
***14th Mixed Armored Battalion
***Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
**'''4th Mechanized Infantry Brigade ([[Vaziani]])'''
***41st Mechanized Infantry Battalion
***43rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion
***42nd Mixed Armored Battalion
***44th Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
**'''5th Artillery Brigade ([[Vaziani]])'''
***51st Artillery Battalion
***52nd Artillery Battalion
***53rd Security Battalion
***Air Defence Company
** '''[[Georgian Special Operations Forces|Special Operations Battalion]]'''
** '''Ranger Battalion'''
** '''Combat Engineer Battalion'''
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Western Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Operational Command West'''
** '''2nd Infantry Brigade ([[Senaki]])'''<ref>See also http://desantura.ru/veteran/521/</ref>
***21st Light Infantry Battalion
***22nd Light Infantry Battalion
***23rd Light Infantry Battalion
***21st Mixed Armored Battalion
***Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
**'''3rd Infantry Brigade (''The Mamelukes'') ([[Kutaisi]])'''
***31st Light Infantry Battalion
***32nd Light Infantry Battalion
***33rd Mixed Armored Battalion
***34th Artillery Battalion
***Logistics Battalion
***Reconnaissance Company
***Engineer Company
***Signal Company
** '''6th Artillery Brigade ([[Khoni]])'''
***61st Artillery Battalion
***62nd Artillery Battalion
***63rd Security Battalion
***Air Defence Company
** '''Naval Special Operations Company'''
** '''Combat Engineer Battalion'''
** '''Medical Company'''
** '''Separate Communications Company'''

====Separate Elements====

*[[File:Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Aviation and Air-Defence Command'''
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Army Logistics Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Army Logistics Command'''
*[[File:Georgian Defense Forces Military Training and Education Command flag (2018).png|22px]] '''Training and Education Command'''
* '''Engineer Brigade'''
* Separate Reconnaissance Battalion ([[Kobuleti]])
* Separate Medical Battalion ([[Saguramo Range|Saguramo]])
* Separate Signal Battalion
* Separate Logistics Battalion

In 2011 the Georgian high command decided to divide its military forces into two main operational units; the Eastern and Western Operational Groups. The aim was to create two independently acting military districts which would consist of forces in accordance to the strategic value of their deployment areas yet being balanced in their type of equipment. In case of war each group will be able to coordinate its operations independently from high command, having its own logistical and administrative reserves.

===Special Operations Forces===
{{main article|Georgian Special Operations Forces}}

The Special Operations Forces of the Defence Forces of Georgia were established to conduct unconventional warfare and the full spectrum of special operation missions. They also serve in supporting capacity for regular military forces, primarily in the areas of education and training.

Georgian special forces became first active in 1999 as part of [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]. Georgian commandos participated in the [[Iraq War]] from 2003 until the complete withdrawal of the Georgian contingent in 2008 due to an [[2008 South Ossetia War|escalation of hostilities in South Ossetia]]. According to independent accounts, a number of Georgian operatives were also deployed prior in Afghanistan to aide US Special Forces in hunting down [[Taliban]] leaders. Georgian officials have stated that a group of servicemen were deployed in Afghanistan for medical purposes.

=== Air Force ===
{{main article|Georgian Air Force}}[[File:Su-25 plane, Georgian Air Force.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25KM]] ground attack aircraft]]
[[File:Georgian Mi-24V.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]] attack helicopter ]]
The '''Georgian Air Force''' ([[Georgian language|Georgian]]: საქართველოს საჰაერო ძალები, ''sak'art'velos sahaero dzalebi'') is the [[air force]] of the Defence Forces of Georgia. It was established as part of the Georgian Armed Forces in 1992 and merged into Army Air Section in 2010. As part of reforms in the Georgian military, the Air Force was reestablished as a separate branch of the Defence Forces in 2016. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defence [[Irakli Garibashvili]] the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force are being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. The Minister of Defence also announced plans to acquire strike drones to increase Georgia's combat readiness.

=== Georgian Coast Guard (Former Naval Force) ===
{{main article|Georgian Navy}}
The Georgian Navy was abolished in 2009 and was incorporated into the Coast Guard, which is not structurally part of the Defence Forces, but rather it is a subunit of the Border Guard of Georgia, which is under the control of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.  The [[Coast Guard of Georgia]] is responsible for maintenance of the sovereignty of the country and for protection of internal territorial waters and economic zones. The headquarters and a principal Coast Guard base are located at the [[Black Sea]] port of [[Poti]].

[[File:Georgian coast guard in the port of Batumi.jpg|thumb|Georgian [[Coast guard|Coast Guard]] vessels]]
The other, smaller Coast Guard base is in [[Batumi]]. Besides the naval force, the navy also includes a Special Counter-terrorist Detachment force. Georgia is also one of the founding members and a participant of the [[Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group]]. Before the war with Russia, the Georgian navy had 19 naval vessels. Four of them were sunk during the conflict, and nine rigid-hull inflatables were captured by Russia. The Georgians raised and returned to service two of the sunken vessels, and partially replaced their losses with Turkish-built patrol/fast attack boats.

=== National Guard of Georgia ===
The [[National Guard of Georgia]] was established on 20 December 1990 and was manned mainly by volunteers. It represents the first Georgian armed formation, which became the base of the foundation for modern Defence Forces of Georgia. The Guard actively participated in the conflicts that occurred in Georgian territory (Samachablo, Abkhazia).

The National Guard used to consist of 20,554 personnel, but has now been reduced to 550.

#Support civil government in crisis situations (natural, technological, ecological);
#Register mobilization resources, study and deliver;
#Convene, select and man of citizens on the basis of the agreement, for the units, subunits and bases of the Defence Forces;
#Provide ceremonial activity support;
#Assisting in training the Reserve Forces.

=== Army Reserve and Territorial Defence Forces ===

The Army Reserve is a professional reserve force consisting of former regular army personnel only. Due to the amount of experience, the Reserve personnel would be drawn from to replace losses in the ranks of regular formations, but will if needed operate in the vanguard of a combined mechanized group or an infantry assault.

The Territorial Defence Forces were established for immediate readiness of the population in crisis events, such as war. Its main goals would be the fortification and defence of all populated and strategically important areas as well as providing quick aid or security for evacuation operations in case of natural catastrophes.

Other than the active army reserve which consists of only ex military personnel, the Territorial Defence Forces are rather sparsely prepared for complex military operations. It instead provides more comfort for the regular forces in case of war, by acting as an additional logistical arm and leaving the actual combat to the regular forces. With the land forces and reserve army engaged in direct action, the Defence Force's most important task would be to construct trenches, bunkers and obstacles around strategically important areas and position themselves on systematically formed defensive lines. Mobilization capacity is around 140,000 troops and is reasonably large.

The TDF reservist is comparably poorly equipped for modern warfare. It is rumored that Georgia possess thousands of firearms of all types and infantry personal protection equipment inherited from the Soviet Union which could be used by reservists. Georgia also possess few dozen [[T-54/T-55|T-55]] tanks that are in storage that could be used by the reservist forces.

=== Commissioned officers ===
{{Main article|Officer (armed forces)}}
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