Georgian Land Forces
Flag of Georgian Land Forces
Active	1991 -
Country	Georgia
Size	22 999 active personnel with an additional force of 120.000 National Guard and Reserve personnel
Garrison/HQ	Tbilisi, Georgia
Engagements	Georgia Civil War 1991–1992 South Ossetia War War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) Iraq War 2008 South Ossetia war War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Shmagi Telia

The Georgian Ground Forces (Georgian: საქართველოს სახმელეთო ძალები) are the land force component of the Georgian Armed Forces. They are the largest branch of the army and constitute the bulk of the GAF.

[edit] History

After the collapse of the Soviet Union Georgia was left with virtually no military. Alongside the National Guard Land Forces formed the core of the Georgian army. Most of the infantry brigades were created on the basis of old Soviet formations. Previously, the Soviet Army's 31st Army Corps (the former 9th Army) was stationed in the former Georgian SSR. In the July 1993 issue of Jane's Intelligence Review it was reported that the 31st Army Corps was to leave Kutaisi (presumably for Russia) by the end of July 1993.^[1]

The 31st Army Corps had at the dissolution of the Soviet Union four divisions, two of which became Russian military bases, part of the Group of Russian Forces of the Transcaucasus. The other two appear to have transitioned into Georgian formations, as Georgian brigades appear in the same locations after the divisions disbanded. The 10th Guards Motor Rifle Division at Akhaltsikhe was replaced eventually by the 22nd Motorised Brigade, and the 152nd Motor Rifle Division at Kutaisi was eventually replaced by the 21st Motorised Brigade.^[2]

[edit] Structure

Georgian Land Force is based on brigade size military units. The branch has 5 infantry, 1 Special Forces, 2 artillery and 1 engineering brigades. Also, 1 tank battalion and 6 support service battalions, including Separate Air Defense Battalion, Communication Battalion, Commando Batallion, Rechnical Reconnaissance Battalion, Military Police Battalion and a Medical Battalion.

Land Forces consist of 22 999 men from which 2 382 are officers, 20 598 sergeants and corporals (contracting) and 16 civilians. The Georgian Land Forces are commanded by Colonel Shmagi Telia.^[3]

Structure of the Georgian Ground Forces

[edit] Equipment

The Georgian Land Forces are equipped with a wide range of equipment. Despite numerous material losses in the 2008 South Ossetia War, the Georgian military has kept most of its equipment intact. The Georgian army is equipped with a large amount of artillery and air defense systems, including 465 pieces of light, medium, heavy artillery, and numerous rocket launchers. The Georgian military also has up to 200 T-72 tanks and 40 T-55 tanks, as well as numerous other armoured fighting vehicles. Gaps in the separate tank battalian are almost completely filled due to weapons trade agreements with Ukraine. Despite that, Ukraine sells its most modern Main Battle Tanks, the T-84, to Georgia.

The Georgian infantry is equipped with a wide range of Assault Rifles, Machine Guns, Sniper Rifles, Pistols, and NATO combat gear.

[edit] References

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