Introduction

The Defence Attaché and his team work to promote and achieve the United Kingdom’s security and defence objectives in the South Caucasus region.  The Defence Section consists of the following appointments: Defence Attaché, Assistant to the Defence Attaché/Support Staff, Defence Relations Officers (DROs) Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and the section driver.  The Defence Section is located in the British Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia.  

The DROs who are locally employed civilians, are located in the British Embassies Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan respectively.  The DROs maintain close links with their respective Defence Ministries and the Defence Attaché in Tbilisi.  The Defence Attaché visits both Baku and Yerevan frequently and works closely with International Relations Department within all three Defence Ministries.

Mission Statement

To work in support of the United Kingdom’s strategic and regional foreign and defence policy objectives by establishing and maintaining effective, dynamic bi-lateral relationships with the governments of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, especially the respective Ministries of Defence.  In particular, to further individual bi-lateral defence relations activity programmes (DRAP) as the United Kingdom’s contribution to the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme.

Training and Support

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers scholarships, training and courses to officials, officers and soldiers in the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces.  Places are offered on a wide range of courses which include: English language training, Military Instructor training courses, Border Security Courses and Command and Leadership courses for both officers and soldiers.  These courses can take place either in country, in the UK or with the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) who are based in Vyškov, Czech Republic.

The MOD also offer advice and assistance to all three Defence Ministries through Security Sector Development and Advisory Team (SSDAT) on an as required basis on topics as diverse as budgeting, development of doctrine, human resource management and IT infrastructure/security.