Georgia takes on western air defence assets to deter eastern aggression
In early October Georgia showcased its new air defence assets procured from France for the first time. The new weapons includes the new MBDA Mistral very short range air defence (VSHORAD) system in addition to mobile air surveillance radars manufactured by ThalesRaytheonSystems.
The new French-made systems were on display during the celebration of the Georgian Air Force days, and were toured by several country officials, including Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Defence Minister Levan Izoria.
The systems shown are a part of a deal amounting to about €100 million, inked between the governments of Georgia and France in June
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