Page 57 - GEORptFeb22

2021-2024
Georgia outlines defence procurement priorities for next decade
The document established four priorities: developing an information society, and cyberculture at organisations; a resilient cybersecurity governance system and strengthening public-private partnership; enhancing cyber capabilities with a strong cyber workforce and relevant technical support; and strengthening Georgia’s position as a net contributor to cybersecurity internationally.
The strategy, approved by Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on September 30, identified two core threat groups: cyberwar, information warfare, cyber espionage and cyberattacks run by state actors, and secondly, cybercrime, including attacks on critical infrastructure.
Discussing cyberwar, the strategy highlights that Russia carries out information warfare against Georgia, including through propaganda and disinformation, accompanied by an increasing number of advanced persistent threats aimed at unauthorised access to public and private critical information systems. Noting that organisations handling the critical information systems and services cannot ensure an “appropriate level of cybersecurity,” the document stressed the need for bolstering said security capacities.
Recalling the 2008 Russian cyber-attacks on the Georgian public and private sector, the document stressed that Russia remains the main threat for the country in terms of cyber-warfare.
As for cybercrime, the document lists phishing, ransomware, defacing, distributed denial of service and mail spoofing as some of the most prevalent forms of cybercrime in the country. According to the strategy, commercial entities are being increasingly targeted by cybercrime, alongside state agencies.
The Georgian government has revealed its defence procurement priorities up to 2030. They include the acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and new artillery systems, and a revitalisation of the country's defence housing infrastructure.
At a ceremony for the release of the Action Plan of the Georgian Defence Forces 2020–30 on July 22, Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze revealed that the country would be acquiring additional Javelin anti-tank missiles in 2021 from the US. Negotiations are also under way with Polish and South African companies to establish joint ventures (JVs) in the country with the Ministry of Defence (MoD)-owned company Delta STC in 2022. The JVs would be established to manufacture small and large UAVs in the country as part of efforts to bolster intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.
Georgia will also be regenerating its artillery capabilities from 2024, including the procurement of mortar systems from local companies, and acquiring other artillery systems from other countries. Delta STC displayed a 120 mm mortar carrier variant of its Didgori vehicle at the IDEX 2019 trade show, with the company noting at the time that it was in line for a “significant” contract with the Georgian MoD.
57 GEORGIA Country Report February 2022 www.intellinews.com