The US State Department decided to sell Georgia a batch of Javelin anti-tank missile systems and related equipment for a total of $ 30 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) reported.

“The State Department has decided to approve the possible sale of Javelin missiles and related equipment to the Georgian government at an estimated cost of $ 30 million under the program for the sale of military products to foreign states.

Today, the Department of Defense's Office for Security Cooperation presented the necessary materials, notifying Congress of this possible sale, "- said in a press release from the department.

As specified in the department, the Georgian government has applied for the purchase of 82 Javelin FGM-148 missiles and 46 Javelin command and launch units.

“Also on the list are Advanced Basic Training Simulators (EPBSTs), dummy munitions, Office of Security Assistance technical support, technical support for the Tactical Aircraft Ammunition and Ground Weapon Systems Division, other related equipment and services, and other related elements of logistics and software support ”, - is specified in the DSCA message.

It is also emphasized that the supply of this equipment "will not change the basic military balance in the region."

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by enhancing the security of Georgia, a strategic partner and a key country in ensuring security and stability in the region.

The Javelin system will help Georgia build up its long-term defense potential to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and meet the requirements of its national defense, ”the department said.

As added in the department, the acquisition of Javelin by Georgia will also expand its ability to "resist existing and future threats", increasing the potential in the field of destruction of armored vehicles.

“Georgia will easily introduce this weapon in its armed forces,” the DSCA noted.

Previous deliveries

Recall that the United States carried out the deliveries of Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Georgia earlier.

As reported by the Georgian Ministry of Defense in 2018, the systems were delivered to a "safe place."

However, the department did not provide details.

Prior to that, the US State Department approved the sale of 410 missiles and 72 command launchers.

As the Russian Foreign Ministry said at the time, this decision by Washington could push Tbilisi to new dangerous adventures in the region.

In an interview with Interfax, Grigory Karasin, who at that time was Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, commenting on this information, said that Georgia's western allies "completely forgot" what the militarization of this country once led to.

  • Military of Georgia

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“Not even ten years have passed since the barbaric attack on South Ossetia (the interview was published in December 2017. -

RT

), but NATO's military infrastructure is in full swing in Georgia, multimillion-dollar supplies of the latest weapons systems to Tbilisi are planned: French air defense systems and American anti-tank missile systems, and the United States is embarking on a program of combat training for Georgian servicemen, ”he said.

As Karasin noted, despite the statement of the Georgian side that it allegedly does not intend to attack Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Tbilisi "continues to evade signing agreements on the non-use of force with Sukhum and Tskhinvali."

“And there are no guarantees that in Georgia, equipped with Western weapons, belligerent approaches to its former territories will not prevail again.

Naturally, we will not leave our allies alone in the face of possible aggression.

But, given the presence of NATO in Georgia, in this case, a situation that is very dangerous for international stability may arise, "Karasin explained.

"Not help, but a commercial deal"

As noted by Nikita Danyuk, deputy director of the RUDN Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts, a member of the Public Chamber of Russia, Georgia buys Javelin to “show its loyalty” to the United States.

“Thus, Tbilisi wants to say that the country is ready to join NATO and to re-equip, modernize the army with the help of American weapons,” the expert said in a conversation with RT.

At the same time, Danyuk did not rule out that with the help of Javelin, Georgia also wants to increase tension on the border with Abkhazia or South Ossetia.

“Activation in this direction is possible with a sharp change in the internal political situation in Georgia,” the analyst explained.

According to military expert Ivan Konovalov, the story with Javelin for Georgia resembles the situation with the same systems for Ukraine.

“For both the Ukrainian leadership and the Georgian, the acquisition of Javelin is a symbolic gesture, confirming, in their opinion, the special status of relations with the United States in military terms.

For this, both Georgia and Ukraine are ready to spend money so that later the Americans will supply them with anti-tank missile systems.

At the same time, such a story is beneficial for the United States, they can use it as a news feed in information wars, "Konovalov said in an interview with RT.

As Danyuk noted, Washington wants to show with Javelin supplies that it does not abandon its allies in the post-Soviet space.

“Although in fact this is not help, but a commercial deal,” the expert noted.

As the Georgian political scientist Archil Chkoidze specified, for the United States, the supply of Javelin to Georgia, which this time will be much more modest than in previous years, is "a kind of PR".

“Washington can say to Western countries that it helps its strategic partners with anti-tank missile systems.

In fact, Georgia does not even have a military infrastructure to use them in a real battle.

Besides, it would be foolish to think that the Javelin will be able to ensure the security of the country.

While any militarization of Georgia negatively affects the level of security in the region.

All issues must be resolved through a global settlement, and not through saber rattling, "the analyst said in a conversation with RT.

Danyuk predicted that the Javelin supplies would contribute to the deterioration of the already difficult relations between Georgia and Russia, especially against the background of the exercises of the Georgian military with the United States and other NATO countries.

“Ties between Moscow and Tbilisi will only get worse in the context of increasing military cooperation between Georgia and the United States.

The Georgian side constantly participates in maneuvers together with the American military and the soldiers of the alliance.

Washington wants Tbilisi to finally become a tool for fighting Moscow, ”the analyst said.

  • US State Department

  • RIA News

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In turn, Konovalov noted that the United States only verbally grants Georgia the status of its ally, while in exchange demand that the country remain "a springboard for countering Russia."

“However, Moscow is ready to repel all provocations that may be from Tbilisi.

There are Russian bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, they guarantee the security and integrity of these republics.

This all the more confirms the fact that the transfer of Javelin is pointless, ”the expert said.

Danyuk also believes that Russia is ready to respond to any aggressive actions in the region.

"The Russian contingent and infrastructure are always on high alert, but in the event of a military confrontation, the answer will be as harsh as possible and, of course, no Americans can help Georgia here," the expert concluded.