MOSCOW/TBILISI. Sept 30 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian border guards located on the border with Russia have been armed with portable SAM systems, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
"Last week, Georgian pickets on the border with Russia received portable SAM systems made in the Soviet Union. Moreover, the Georgian State Border Guard Department sent 10 mobile crews to the border that are also armed with portable SAM systems," the source told Interfax-Military News Agency.
Officials of the Georgian department refused to comment on the matter. "The information on armament of the republic's border guard forces is classified and not subject to disclosure," a high-ranking official in the department said.
According to the Russian ministry source, Georgia does not have a developed air defense system. "There is no air defense system in Georgia," he said.
The source recalled that Georgia had never participated in the CIS air defense coalition exercise that is held at the Ashuluk proving range in the Astrakhan region annually.
Commenting on the Georgian military's intentions to purchase SAM systems from Ukraine, the source noted that at least six months would be needed to deploy them on the border with Russia. "One should take into account that the Georgian army does not have trained air defense units," the source said.
He considers the attempt to use SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes to cover the Georgian aerial border is ineffective. "First, the planes are intended for hitting ground targets. Second, the serviceability of six SU-25 planes the Georgia has amounts only to 40%," the source added.
Georgia decided to step up protection of its aerial border after Russian military officials announced the possibility of inflicting strikes on bases of rebels and international terrorists in the Georgian territory.