Defence capability of Georgia

GlobalFirepower (GFP) has published a research about the military potential of different states, covering only 55 countries in which Georgia was ranked 50th. In light of this research's findings, military analysts and journalists are speculating about the real defence capability of the country and its potential.

The research is based on the data available to the US Ministry of Defence as well as the assessments of the Central Intelligence Agency. It also considers statistical information and publications in the military sphere. The military potential of the countries appearing in the research was determined based on the quantity of ground, naval and air forces and volume of financial resources being invested. The rating does not provide information about Armenia or Azerbaijan therefore it is difficult to assess the real balance of military potential in the region. Besides it should be admitted that in reality Armenia and Azerbaijan possess more potential for increasing their military capability. The data given in the GFP research does not give the real picture, because there is no opportunity to measure the country's capabilities against similarly sized countries. As it is known Georgia can compete with Armenia and Azerbaijan in this field but not with Turkey or Russia – Georgia’s biggest neighbours. Besides, as military analyst Irakli Sesiashvili believes, the estimation of the country’s military potential, its standard of defence and security should be calculated not from the number of soldiers or military facilities it has, but rather should be weighed against the military threats the country could face. To prove this position, it could be mentioned that Belgium ranks 49th in the rating whereas Georgia is 50th. Can we conclude from this that Belgium and Georgia have roughly the same level of security and defence capabilities? Of course we cannot.

Belgium hosts NATO headquarters and the level of security in this country is significantly higher than in Georgia. Indeed, 20% of the latter's territory is occupied by the Russian aggressor and the possibility of a repeated attack from Moscow is constantly discussed in Georgia. So the level of security of any country should be calculated not by the number of its personnel or weapons but by the threats to which it may be vulnerable.

Of course if we look upon the issue from this point of view Georgia's situation is dire because while having Russia as an occupier of Georgian territories the country is also living with the endless worry of further attacks deteriorating Georgia's defence capability immensely. The increase of the quantity and quality of weapons given to Georgia does not necessarily mean lifting the military threat against the country, because as an immediate enemy in the region Georgia has Russia which, in this GFP rating, was ranked 2nd on the planet, behind only USA.