The Aviation and Air Defence Command of the Defence Forces (), formerly Georgian Air Force (, sak’art’velos sahaero dzalebi), is the air force of the Defense 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 command of the Defense Forces in 2016.
History Founding and abolition The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division was established on January 1, 1992. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.Defence Today 27: 1. September 2009 . Accessed February 10, 2012.
The first combat flight was conducted by Izani Tsertsvadze and Valeri Nakopia on September 19, 1992, during the separatist war in Abkhazia. This date was later designated as the Georgian Air Force Day.
In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections.Structure of Land Forces . Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Accessed on February 10, 2012.
Reestablishment and modernization The Georgian Air Force was formally re-established in 2016 but all fixed wing aircraft were left abandoned till 2020. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense 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 Defense also announced plans to acquire strike drones to increase Georgia's combat readiness.
Ranks
Commissioned officer ranks The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
Other ranks The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
Mission and objectives The objectives of the Georgian Air Force are defined as follows: Warfare and mobilization readiness of the Air Forces sub-units Protection of sovereignty and control of the air space of Georgia The fight against air terrorism Participate in the fight against terrorism on land and at sea Air defence of state entities and troops Destruction of land and naval targets at the enemy's front line and tactical inmost. Providing air support for friendly land and naval forces Participation in collective and multinational exercises.
Functions of the Georgian Air Forces: Troop and cargo transportation Search and rescue of downed aircraft and pilots MEDEVAC Informing the leadership of the Air Force and the Army about enemy air assaults Destruction of enemy manpower, land and naval targets Air forces landing Aerial reconnaissance
The two major airfields are located near Tbilisi at Vaziani and Marneuli.
Current inventory
Aircraft
AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes AttackSukhoi Su-25Soviet UnionCAS9Su-25 (UB/KM) were restored and modernized. TransportAntonov An-28Soviet UnionTransport2 HelicoptersMil Mi-8Soviet UnionUtilityMi-8/1711520 of them are used by the Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.Eurocopter EC145EUSAR33 bought in 2022 december delivered in 2024 and using by Border policeMil Mi-14Soviet UnionASW / SAR2Mil Mi-24Soviet UnionAttack1112 were in service before 2008. One was lost in Russo-Georgian war.Bell UH-1 United StatesUtilityUH-1H68 in total Trainer aircraftAero L-39CzechoslovakiaJet trainer / Light attack 8All restored and modernized in 2026Sukhoi Su-25Soviet UnionJet trainer2 UAVs Elbit Hermes 450IsraelReconnaissance10+WB Electronics WarmateGeorgia PolandKamikaze droneIn production 100+WB Electronics FlyEyeGeorgia PolandReconnaissanceIn productionunknown numberAerostarIsraelKamikaze drone4+
Air defence
NameOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes Surface-to-air missiles 9K37 Buk Soviet Union Medium range Buk-M1 3 batteries Former Ukrainian vehicles. 9K33 Osa Soviet Union Short range Osa-AKM 6−10 batteries Former Ukrainian vehicles, modernized before delivery.
References
Bibliography