Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

The Georgian Defense Ministry does not intend to close the military-scientific technical center LEPL DELTA and will not give up production of military equipment and weapons, Deputy Minister of Defense Zaza Broladze has said.

Broladze was commenting on the statement of President Mikheil Saakashvili on possible closure of the enterprise, Georgia Online reported on Tuesday.

He said that earlier Lazika and Didgori military combat vehicles were developed in accordance with the tastes of individual politicians, whereas now the reformed management is involved in production through cooperation with professional military instructors and experts.

We recall that at a meeting on Tuesday with students of the military academy in the city of Gori Saakashvili expressed his disagreement over the Georgian government`s refusal to produce military equipment, saying 'it would be a big mistake'.

"Despite the fact that we have reached an agreement with the U.S., Georgia may be left without a supply of military equipment. I heard during the pre-election campaign that Georgia's military equipment is bluff. You know this is not true," Saakashvili said.

As for discussions over the fate of LEPL DELTA, the Georgian president said it should remain in the possession of the Defense Ministry. According to him, if Delta is removed from the Defense Ministry it will collapse.

"We should not say no to the contracts signed in the past years...I have heard that the Georgian government is going to say no to the helicopters. This is a long-term credit and it will not hurt Georgia's budget. Do we want to use old Russian helicopters again?" Saakashvili said.