Okruashvili Reports on S.Ossetia Armament

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili briefed lawmakers at a parliamentary committee hearing on February 13 about the details of the armament and forces available to the South Ossetian side.

He said that the list of the South Ossetian armament includes:

26 T-55 tanks; 57 infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1 and BMP-2; 36 armored vehicles BTR-70 and BTR-80; 17 armored reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM); 6 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) Grad BM-21; 8 self-propelled howitzers 2S1 so called Gvodzika (Carnation); 2 field guns MT-12; 3 field guns D-44; 4 field guns D-30; 21 antiaircraft guns ZU-23; 19 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems IGLA and STRELA, as well as several 60mm and 120mm mortars.

He said that all these armaments were delivered to South Ossetia by the Russian side, which is a violation of existing agreements.

Okruashvili said that the South Ossetian side can mobilize a total of about 5,500 troops, including reserve forces.

According to Okruashvili, the unrecognized republic’s Defense Ministry forces amount to 2,260 servicemen; the Interior Ministry – 1,100; Security Committee – 100; illegal militia groups – 2,100.