Georgia to Begin Producing M4 Rifles, Drones in 2022

Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze revealed that his country is planning to partner with South African, Polish, and Israeli companies to produce M4 rifles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in 2022.

In a briefing to parliament last week, he said manufacture of the new high-powered equipment is an effort to bolster Georgian defense forces and develop the local military arms and technology industry.

“In order to guarantee a high-quality and adequate supply for the program, it is important to launch local production and ensure its continuous development,” Burchuladze explained.

The minister further revealed that the country’s procurement of drones will go ahead while local production is in the planning stages. Officials are now in talks with NATO partner states concerning details of purchase and production.

Georgia will sign an agreement to launch production of the UAVs this year, and manufacture is set to begin in 2022.

Additional Military Development

Burchuladze pointed to his country’s clashes in the South Caucasus as evidence of the need to acquire operational and tactical drones, as well as electronic intelligence and surveillance systems.

Georgia is also working to obtain mobile anti-air missile defense systems from an Israeli arms producer by the end of 2021.

In a bid to deepen defense cooperation with the US, the Georgian defense minister also said his American counterpart had confirmed willingness to expand their partnership.

Meanwhile, a Georgian aircraft manufacturer announced in February that it is developing its first home-grown reconnaissance and strike drone.