Final Phase of GTEP Launched

U.S. trains and equips fifth GTEP battalion.

The final training cycle of the U.S.-funded Georgia Train-and-Equip program (GTEP) was launched today at the Krtsanisi military training camp.

The battalion consists of a mechanized infantry company utilizing T-72 tanks and BMP-1 armored personnel carriers. The U.S. Marine Corps will lead this training phase.

Four Georgian battalions have already undergone the training program in which the United States allocated $64 million.

The GTEP is scheduled to be completed in the spring; however the U.S. intends to continue training of the Georgian troops.

The Guardian reported in early January that the Pentagon is contracting a team of retired U.S. military officers to equip and train the Georgia’s armed forces.

The employer of the group of U.S. military experts is a Washington security firm, Cubic, which has a three-year USD 15 million contract with the Pentagon to support all aspects of the Georgian Ministry of Defense.