The Georgian Defense Ministry will host the Agile Spirit 2019 military exercises which will take place between 27 July and 9 August, reported agenda.ge.

The exercises will involve more than 3000 soldiers from fourteen different countries. The countries which will participate in the exercises are the following:  Georgia, USA, UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. Under the motto “Strength through Partnership” the exercises will take place in Senaki, Orpolo and the Vaziani fire ranges. They will include command, staff and field training session with live fire, engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations.

The Georgian Defense Ministry stated that Agile Spirit 2019 will be held this year to enhance the Georgian Armed Forces’ defense capabilities, to increase interoperability between NATO forces and partner countries, to develop and create new opportunities for multinational, regional and bilateral partnerships, as well as to enhance the security of the Black Sea region.

Agile Spirit exercises have been held annually in Georgia since 2011. They were initially held solely within the bilateral military partnership between the USA and Georgia. These exercises were aimed at increasing the compatibility of the Georgian Armed Forces with NATO standards, and at preparing the Georgian military to participate in international peacekeeping operations. From 2015 on, Agile Spirit turned into a multinational military exercise. Agile Spirit is one of the two multilateral military exercises which take place in Georgia, the second one being the Noble Partner exercises.