The Royal Navy ship HMS DEFENDER has arrived at the Batumi Port. The Director of the MIA Border Police Coast Guard Department, CAPT Ramaz Papidze, the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Tornike Rizhvadze and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Georgia Mark Clayton met with the Commander of the ship, CAPT Vince Owen and the crew at Batumi Port.

The ship's visit serves to demonstrate the close cooperation between the United Kingdom and Georgia in the defence and security field.

During the visit, the representatives of the two naval units will hold informational meetings to share experiences. HMS DEFENDER and the Georgian Coast Guard ships will participate in the joint naval exercise in the Black Sea. The joint exercise helps to increase interoperability between the crews and develop Georgian Coast Guard capabilities.

HMS DEFENDER (D36), one of the most powerful air-defence destroyers in the Royal Navy, is visiting Georgia for the first time. DARING-class destroyer is equipped with modern anti-air and anti-ship missiles.