Georgia Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 81st
MPR SCORE: 348
MPR Index: 0.1190 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8349 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.268 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Georgia ranks 81st globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its military, the Georgian Defense Forces (GDF), is relatively small but highly professional, with a primary focus on national defense, territorial sovereignty, and regional deterrence. Georgia’s strategic position in the South Caucasus, near the borders of Russia, Turkey, and the Black Sea, makes it a critical security actor in the post-Soviet space.
The GDF has undergone substantial modernization and institutional reform since its defeat in the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, with heavy investments in training, command and control, and defense partnerships. Georgia maintains an aspirational doctrine of NATO interoperability, relying on U.S. military aid, joint exercises, and defense diplomacy to offset its limited size. While it does not possess large-scale offensive capabilities, Georgia’s military remains resilient, well-trained, and forward-positioned for territorial defense.
Strengths
1. NATO Interoperability & U.S. Support
Georgia has consistently aligned its defense posture with NATO standards, participating in joint exercises and receiving extensive military aid and training from the United States. This has improved command structure, tactical communication, and force professionalism.
2. Combat-Experienced Ground Forces
The Georgian Army has real-world experience from the 2008 war and foreign deployments, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. The military retains high morale, unit cohesion, and a focus on mobility, making it capable of defensive operations under pressure.
3. Strategic Location & Mountain Warfare Capabilities
Georgia’s mountainous terrain favors a defensive doctrine, and the military is trained in terrain-based operations, especially in the Greater Caucasus. Forward bases and garrisons are positioned to defend vital terrain and border zones with Russia and the breakaway regions.
Why Georgia Is Still Ranked 81st
1. Limited Strategic Depth and Force Size
Georgia’s military remains relatively small, lacking the strategic reserves, armor divisions, or long-range support systems necessary for sustained operations against a major adversary like Russia.
2. Minimal Air and Naval Capabilities
The Georgian Air Force is limited in both size and modernization, with no dedicated fighter aircraft. Naval forces are also minimal, preventing meaningful control over its Black Sea coastline beyond maritime patrols.
3. Vulnerability to Occupied Territories
Roughly 20% of Georgian territory—Abkhazia and South Ossetia—is occupied by Russian-backed separatists, with permanent Russian military presence. This places Georgia under continuous strategic pressure and undermines its defense-in-depth.
Conclusion
Despite its modest scale, Georgia fields a well-trained and motivated military, strategically tailored for territorial defense, mountain warfare, and hybrid threat response. The GDF’s reform trajectory, NATO alignment, and combat experience contribute to a capable defense posture under persistent threat. However, the country’s constrained size, minimal air/naval reach, and proximity to Russian forces ensure that Georgia remains a defensive military actor with a continued reliance on external partnerships for deterrence and survival.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 37,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 10,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 5,000 (Border Guard and Special Police)
Army Personnel: 26,000
Navy Personnel: None (disbanded in 2009)
Air Force Personnel: 6,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 100+ (T-72 and T-72B modernized)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 300+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 200+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 10+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 20+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Su-25: 8 (attack aircraft)
Mi-8 Helicopters: 10 (transport and utility helicopters)
Naval Forces
Georgia no longer maintains a navy since its fleet was disbanded after the 2008 war with Russia. Instead, the country relies on coast guard and border security forces to protect its limited Black Sea coastline.
Coast Guard Vessels: 10+
Missile Capabilities
Georgia does not possess advanced missile systems or a significant air defense network. The country relies on short-range defensive capabilities provided by its partnerships with NATO and the U.S.
Strategic Partnerships
Georgia’s military strategy is heavily focused on its relationships with NATO, the U.S., and the European Union. Although it is not a NATO member, Georgia has participated in joint exercises and contributed to NATO missions, with ongoing efforts to integrate into Western military structures. U.S. military aid and training have been critical in modernizing Georgia’s armed forces.
Military History & Combat Experience
Georgia’s military history reflects a post-Soviet transformation, marked by civil conflict, territorial fragmentation, and full-scale war with Russia. The experience of repeated crises has shaped a modern force focused on resilience, foreign integration, and homeland protection.
War in Abkhazia (1992–1993):
Following independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia faced an armed uprising in Abkhazia, where separatist forces backed by Russia and North Caucasian militants expelled Georgian forces and civilians from the region. The war exposed major weaknesses in Georgia’s then-nascent military and resulted in the de facto loss of Abkhazia.War in South Ossetia (1991–1992):
Conflict erupted between Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists, again with indirect Russian support. A ceasefire brokered by Russia led to the deployment of a Russian peacekeeping force, effectively freezing the conflict and placing South Ossetia outside of Tbilisi’s control.Russo-Georgian War (2008):
A five-day war triggered by escalating tensions in South Ossetia, where Georgia attempted to reassert control. Russia responded with a full-scale invasion, advancing deep into Georgian territory and targeting military bases, infrastructure, and command nodes. Despite early advances, Georgia was quickly overmatched. The war ended in a Russian military victory, formalizing Russian occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The war led to major reforms in the GDF and catalyzed Georgia’s pursuit of NATO compatibility.International Deployments – Iraq and Afghanistan (2004–2021):
Georgia deployed thousands of troops to U.S.-led coalitions in Iraq and Afghanistan, often holding high-risk patrol sectors. Georgian forces earned recognition for their discipline, bravery, and tactical reliability, building goodwill with NATO and enhancing the GDF’s international standing.
Though Georgia’s military engagements have often resulted in strategic setbacks, its forces have emerged with valuable battlefield experience, especially in combined arms, rapid deployment, and interoperability under fire. Its war legacy remains central to its national identity and its forward-looking defense doctrine.
General Information
Georgia
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~3.6 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~1.1 million
Geographic Area: 69,700 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,814 km
Bordering Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey
Coastline: 310 km
Climate: Warm and pleasant along Black Sea; alpine in north; dry in east
Terrain: Mountains, river valleys, coastal plains
Natural Resources: Timber, hydropower, manganese, iron ore, copper, minor oil
Proven Oil Reserves: ~35 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~150 billion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$1.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.6%
GDP (PPP): ~$80 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$22,000
External Debt: ~$20 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable; prioritized NATO-standard reform
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (12 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Russian deterrence, territorial defense, NATO interoperability
Military Industry Base: Growing; small arms, drones, maintenance
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Moderate; supported by NATO
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Eastern and Western Commands under MOD
Missile Inventory Highlights: Javelin, Spike, MANPADS, Mistral
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~25,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: State Security Service (SSS), MOD Intelligence Department
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO, U.S., Ukraine
Airports (Total): ~21
Major Military Airports: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~15 vessels
Major Ports: Poti, Batumi
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol and fast attack craft
Naval Replenishment Capability: Minimal
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~1,500 km
Roadways: ~21,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~1,600 barrels/day
Energy Imports: High dependence on Azerbaijan and Turkey
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains short-term reserves
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Delta STC (vehicles, small arms, UAVs)
Military Installations (Domestic): Gori, Senaki, Vaziani
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: NATO liaison staff
Defense Alliances: NATO partnership, GUAM
Strategic Airlift Capability: Antonov and CASA transport aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest; drones, armored mobility
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Energy grid, railways, defense contractors
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Tbilisi
Founding Date: April 9, 1991 (independence from USSR)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
