Multinational Drills Agile Spirit 2018 In Georgia To Involve 10 States - Defense Ministry

Multinational Drills Agile Spirit 2018 in Georgia to Involve 10 States - Defense Ministry

A total of 10 countries will take part in the annual multinational drills in Georgia, dubbed Agile Spirit 2018, slated for September 1-11, the country's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

TBILISI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 29th August, 2018) A total of 10 countries will take part in the annual multinational drills in Georgia, dubbed Agile Spirit 2018, slated for September 1-11, the country's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The exercises, jointly organized with the United States Marine Corps Forces, Europe, will take place in Senaki town, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region.

"The scenario of the exercises consists of defense, attack and stability operations. In comparison with 2017 drills, which involved seven NATO member states and NATO partners, this time 10 countries will participate in the drills - Georgia, the United States, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Greece, Ukraine, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Estonia," the statement said.

According to the ministry, the goal of the exercises, which will be held in Georgia for the eighth time, is to increase the level of preparedness for joint operations of the NATO rapid response forces and the ability to respond to crises, as well as to improve the operational capabilities of the command, operations planning and conducting.

Initially, only the US and Georgian military personnel participated in the exercises. However in 2015, they were held under the aegis of NATO for the first time, illustrating Georgia's desire to attain full membership in the US-led military alliance.