An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

DOD Policy Chief Welcomes Georgia’s Defense Minister to Pentagon

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John C. Rood met at the Pentagon with Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and to underscore the importance of the U.S.-Georgia defense relationship.

A man speaks and uses hand gestures as another man listens.
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John C. Rood, right, hosts Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria at the Pentagon, May 20, 2019. DOD photo by Lisa Ferdinando
A man speaks and uses hand gestures as another man listens.
Georgian Defense Minister
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John C. Rood, right, hosts Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria at the Pentagon, May 20, 2019. DOD photo by Lisa Ferdinando
Photo By: Lisa Ferdinando
VIRIN: 190520-D-BN624-0103

In their May 20 meeting, the leaders discussed regional security and a broad range of topics, including joint operations in Afghanistan. Rood expressed appreciation for Georgia’s top per capita force contributions in Afghanistan and steadfast commitment to serve alongside U.S. forces until the mission is complete, Pentagon officials said.

Rood commended Georgia’s role model defense reform efforts and robust defense spending at 2% of its gross domestic product. The leaders also reviewed future acquisitions and the continued development of Georgia’s combat readiness and  self-sustaining institutional capacity through the Georgia Defense Readiness Program. The Defense Department looks forward to increased training opportunities in Georgia, he said.

Longstanding Defense Relationship

The talks depict the strong and longstanding bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Georgia, officials said, calling it a key pillar of the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership.

Pentagon officials noted some key points about Georgia as a U.S. partner:

 — In Afghanistan, Georgia is the top per capita, top non-NATO, fifth overall contributor of forces to NATO’s Resolute Support mission. Since 2009, Georgia has lost 32 soldiers killed in action and more than 290 wounded in action.

Soldiers take a knee in the grass.
Georgian trainers and U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Brigade, 1st Infantry Division observe as Georgian Soldiers in the 13th Infantry Battalion move through offensive and defensive situational training lanes, at Norio Training Area, Republic of Georgia, Feb. 20, 2019. Army photo by Lacey Justinger
Soldiers take a knee in the grass.
Situational Training
Georgian trainers and U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Brigade, 1st Infantry Division observe as Georgian Soldiers in the 13th Infantry Battalion move through offensive and defensive situational training lanes, at Norio Training Area, Republic of Georgia, Feb. 20, 2019. Army photo by Lacey Justinger
Photo By: Lacey Justinger
VIRIN: 190220-A-OY408-322

— In 2017, the United States and Georgia launched the bilateral Georgia Defense Readiness Program. U.S. and Georgian forces are partnering to increase Georgia’s self-sustainable institutional capacity to generate, train and sustain forces, improving combat readiness for territorial defense.

— Georgia spends 2% of its gross domestic product on defense and more than 20% on equipment modernization, a key example of burden-sharing.

— From 2018-2019, Georgia procured the U.S. Javelin weapon system with 100% national funds, a total expenditure of $65 million. This sale demonstrated that Georgia is a U.S. strategic partner entrusted with sensitive defense technology.

— Georgia leads the way in military reform with an ambitions force restructure plan. As the United States transitions from training provider to training partner, Georgia is developing a combat training center that will increase opportunities for multinational training and exercises.

Related Stories

No items to display