The U.S. state Department endorsed the provision of military assistance to Georgia in the form of anti-tank missile systems Javelin. Relevant information was circulated on the eve of entering into the structure of the Pentagon Agency cooperation in the security sphere.
Under the contract, which, as it clarifies the RIA “Novosti”, should be endorsed by the us Congress, Tbilisi offers to sell 410 ATRA and 72 command launcher. Totaling $ 75 million, which will also include the costs of transportation, training of Georgian military personnel and equipment maintenance.
The defense Ministry noted that the deal “will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by strengthening the security of Georgia”. And emphasize that the transfer of Javelin Georgia “will not disturb the basic military balance in the region.”
But is it, really? When the Pentagon says that U.S. national security depends on the security of Georgia, it looks like this, at least, unconvincing — where Washington is, where is Tbilisi?
Rather, with the Americans there’s a different, but a definite goal — to make another dirty trick Russia. Too active lately States undertook to destabilize the situation on our borders.
Moreover, not only via their satellites from NATO. But from such countries as Georgia and Ukraine — the last, incidentally, also has long been eager to obtain American “throwing spears”. In trump…
The only question is, what could it lead to?
— I still think that the Javelin of Georgia, it is more a symbolic gesture. Demonstration of political support Tbilisi — commented a leading expert of the Center for military-political research of the MGIMO Mikhail Alexandrov. — Moreover, the demonstration that benefits primarily to American companies. Because the money to pay for these Javelin American manufacturers. Donald trump, as we know, promised to increase the military budget and promised to increase orders for companies producing military products.
On the other hand, like and Georgia was supported. For now, the General economic assistance from the USA to other countries is substantially reduced — if not mistaken, about two times they reduced the appropriation for that purpose.
What happens? Georgia really any help to provide?
But for US it means to sign in their own powerlessness. That they are not able to attend the post-Soviet space. And if they are demonstrated, then, indeed, all these countries will turn away from them. Because they are counting on some support.
Besides, the elites of these countries needed an excuse to justify why they focus on the West. But if no help from the West is not, then people will start to ask awkward questions. They will say: “Why the West? Let Russia turn, she at least gas is cheap we can supply and trade with it more beneficial.”
So, of course, such handouts, they are, first, the us budget is worthless. After all, in fact, is expendable, because the USA is now no one to fight.
“SP”: — But their troops are present in Syria, and in Afghanistan…
— Yes, they could put these funds, for example, the rebels in Syria. But they have actually destroyed, and therefore, who is there to supply, is unclear. Everything will get Bashar al-Assad.
And in Afghanistan, the insurgents have no tanks, so against them, these complexes do not use.
That is, it turns out, has done these Javelin, and they lie dormant. It is clear that they need somewhere to float. So, we decided, “Let’s yeah, down in Georgia, and demonstrate how we support them”. Notice, in fact, free.
“SP”: — And it really does not break balance of forces in the region, as they say?
— In the military-technical terms, this gesture does not change anything, I think. Because we have something to attack Georgia is not going to. And this threat to our tanks.
In offensive operations the Javelin quite difficult to use. Moreover, we understand that Georgia has no military capacity to compete with us — they have a Javelin they have no Javelin.
As for Ukraine, then that is a different situation. In this case the supply of American anti-tank missile system Kiev will contribute to the escalation of the conflict in the Donbas.
But I don’t know, go States it or not… We, at least, warned that it may take retaliatory measures. And not only Donbass republics to supply arms, but, say, in Afghanistan. The same, for example, our anti-tank systems. Or MANPADS for firing at helicopters and low-flying air targets.
So the Americans have to think ten times before to put Ukraine Javelin.
Military expert, editor of the magazine “Arsenal Fatherland” Alex Leonov also believes that Georgia’s Javelin, and Javelin for Kiev, it is two completely different situations:
Georgia currently does not have anyone armed conflicts on the border and not at war with its own people. Unlike Ukraine, where now there is actually a civil war. Therefore, us arms supplies to Georgia, as it is not directly a destabilizing factor. Indirectly — Yes.
If to speak about Ukraine, it would be destabilization. Because Javelin, it is quite clear there will be used in the area of “ATO” against, say, armored equipment, which is in service with the armies of the DNI and LC.
But with Georgia, as you know, adjoin Azerbaijan and Armenia. And between them there smoldering for quite a long time the Karabakh conflict.
Armenia in this case acts as the ally of Russia in the Treaty of the CSTO. There are two Russian bases where our troops are present. And Yerevan to receive Russian complexes rather modern.
But the balance of power — numbers and the number of weapons is now the most powerful army in the region, it is still the army of Azerbaijan.
“SP”: — Turkey helps?
And Turkey is helping. And Israel. And Russia, too, they don’t forget — buy our weapons. Although the technical equipment of modern weapons Armenia is also not the weak. On the General background Georgia just looks quite modest, despite the fact that its main sponsor are the US.
After the events of 2008 and fleeing Saakashvili from the country, States have, so to speak, there was no reason to continue active infusion of funds for the arming and training of the personnel of the Georgian army. The leadership of the Republic maintained a relatively restrained rhetoric in relation to Russia.
In Georgia drove members of the UK. Periodically there come the NATO ships. And that’s limited.
But apparently there have been some shifts in the geopolitical views of the United States. They are now actively forming the so-called “buffer zone” of its allies, which if anything will to fight against the “threat of Russia”, as they say. Georgia, thus, oddly enough, is also starting to get into this sphere of influence.
That is, the arming Georgia now meets the interests of Washington.
“SP”: — And the interests of Georgia?
— That is the question. The fact that our President and our Secretary of defense have repeatedly said, countries which do not store any deliberate policy against Russia — is not placed at the NATO base, not saber-rattling at our borders — they have nothing to fear. Live peacefully, we want nothing from you.
The same Georgia recently began a gradual restoration of good neighbourly relations. Now this process may be inhibited. On the other hand, if Georgia again fail at the peak of the Russophobic policy — ie will support it actively and to escalate in order to justify the admission of the weapons, she’ll just be among those countries to which we will have any adequate measures to be taken — skewed, or mirrored.
“SP”: — how the generosity of our American “partners” will affect the Ukrainian conflict? Will change the balance of power?
— I do not think that the emergence of these systems will fundamentally change the situation. They just make it more hot.
But I remind you that previously said our President. And he said that the genocide against the residents of Donetsk or Lugansk republics we will not allow. This phrase — all. Let them learn to read between the lines.
