On 7 September, the Noble Partner 2020 military exercise was launched in Georgia, for a fifth year in a row. This year’s exercise will go ahead with the participation of over 2,700 troops from the US, the UK, Poland and France. The exercises would include situational training, live-fire drills and combined mechanised manoeuvres at Georgia’s Vaziani and Camp Norio training areas. The exercise is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase US force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. 

After careful consideration and coordination with the Georgian Ministry of Defence, Noble Partner 2020 was modified from its original design and reduced to ensure the safety of all participants due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Precautionary measures will be taken to ensure the health and protection of the participating armed forces and the local population. Additionally, prior to arriving in Georgia, exercise participants completed a 14-day quarantine and underwent testing for Covid-19.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia commented about the initiation of the military exercise and affirmed Georgia’s unwavering support for Euro-Atlantic integration. “Everyone should understand this is another clear example of our strategic partner’s support and our common aspirations. We have to thank our partners, first of all, the US, France, Great Britain, Poland, since everyone understands that the knowledge that our soldiers will obtain here should be used to establish global peace,” he said.

The country’s Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani said that Noble Partner 2020 continues to demonstrate the US commitment to stability and security in the region and shows that NATO allies and partners stand stronger together. “Against the background of existing challenges and hybrid threats, this year’s training is particularly important for enhancing regional stability and security. I believe that it is the modern, NATO-compatible defence forces, and close cooperation with our partners, that bring us even closer to alliance membership and ensure security in Georgia and in the Black Sea region,” he said. Georgia’s Defence Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said that hosting the Noble Partner exercise in Georgia is “clear proof that military cooperation between Georgia and the United States has never been as strong as it is today.”