Bacho Akhalaia

Delta underwent significant restructuring, becoming affiliated with six scientific research institutes and the 31st Tbilisi Aircraft Factory.

Primarily dedicated to defense-related endeavors, the organization also engages to a lesser extent in civilian industries.

Operating independently from state regulatory bodies, its oversight falls under the purview of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.

During his tenure, Akhalaia facilitated the integration of key scientific institutions and companies, enhancing the capabilities and resources of STC "Delta":

Scientific institutes and companies entering into STC “Delta”

Bachana "Bacho" Akhalaia (ბაჩანა "ბაჩო" ახალაია; born October 24, 1980, in Zugdidi) is a Georgian politician who was Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia from July 4, 2012, to September 20, 2012.

Akhalaia graduated from the Tbilisi State University with a degree in law in 2003.

From 2003 to 2004, he worked for the NGO Liberty Institute, known for his role in protests that led to the Rose Revolution in Georgia in November 2003.

From 2004 to 2005, Akhalaia served as deputy Public Defender (Ombudsman) under his fellow Liberty Institute activist Sozar Subari.

In 2005, Akhalaia was moved to the post of Head of Penitentiary Department of Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

In this capacity he led a struggle against the established system of "thieves in law" which ruled prisons in the post-Soviet country, but he was a frequent target of criticism by the opposition, some human rights groups and Public Defender Subari.

In particular, he was accused of heavy-handed crackdown on Georgia's largest prison riot in 2006, in which 7 inmates died.

Akhalaia has been seen as a close ally of Saakashvili and the influential Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.

His brother, Data Akhalaia, headed Department for Constitutional Security at the Interior Ministry and his father, Roland Akhalaia, was a chief prosecutor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in western Georgia and the current member of the Parliament of Georgia.

In December 2008, in the aftermath of the August 2008 war with Russia, Akhalaia was appointed deputy Minister of Defense.

The Georgian media ran stories about Akhalaia's alleged tensions with then-Minister Vasil Sikharulidze and Chief of Joint Staff Vladimer Chachibaia.

He had previously served as Head of Penitentiary Department of Ministry of Justice of Georgia (2005–2008) and Minister of Defense (August 27, 2009 – July 4, 2012).

On August 27, 2009, Akhalaia replaced Sikharulidze as Minister of Defense.

President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili said "much stricter hand" was needed in the military and praised Akhalaia's past achievements.

The Georgian opposition subjected the decision to harsh criticism.

Akhalaia oversaw the establishment of The State Military Scientific-Technical Center "Delta," which resulted in significant advancements in armored personnel carriers (APCs), artillery, and various other military equipment.Akhalaia assumed the role of Minister of Defense of Georgia, prioritizing the modernization of the defense system, fostering scientific advancements within the military, and enhancing military intelligence capabilities.

However, in the October 10, 2009 confidential cable sent to Alexander Vershbow, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense, ahead of his visit to Georgia, the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi described Akhalaia as "the most active Defense Minister in terms of seeking advice" from the U.S. defense advisers and "then following through with it."

He was further noted for being, unlike his predecessor, "unafraid to make decisions" and "genuinely interested in making reforms designed to make the GAF [the Georgian Armed Forces] better."

During his tenure, he supervised the establishment of The State Military Scientific-Technical Center "Delta" and instigated educational reforms at both the Military Academy and Cadet Military Lyceum In 2010, by the decision of the Ministry of Defence, the Academy acquired the status of a Legal Entity of Public Law.

The National Defense Academy also got the status of a higher education institution The Giorgi Kvinitadze Cadet Military Lyceum was opened in Kutaisi in 2010 by order of Defense Minister

Under Akhalaia's tenure as defense minister, a military production initiative was initiated, leading to the modernization of The State Military Scientific-Technical Center "Delta" (SMSTC Delta).Delta took shape in 2010 in its current configuration.

In the years 2010 to 2011, the first Georgian armored carrier vehicle, Didgori, was created in two variations/modifications The specifications of the Didgori armor are confidential, but it is acknowledged to offer defense against 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds.

The vehicle features a V-shaped hull, enhancing protection against landmines and IEDs, with claims suggesting it can withstand a 6 kg mine blast.

The presence of an NBC protection system remains undisclosed.

Developers assert that the overall protection of the vehicle surpasses STANAG 4569 Level 2 standards

During this period, LAZIKA (Georgian: ლაზიკა), first Georgian Infantry fighting vehicle, was also produced.

It was developed by the Scientific Technical Center STC Delta.

During this period, there were several notable advancements in Georgia's military capabilities.

In addition to the creation of the Didgori armored carrier vehicle and the LAZIKA infantry fighting vehicle, significant modernizations and innovations took place.

These included the modernization of artillery systems and mortars, the production of the first Georgian Unmanned reconnaissance tactical aircraft, the modernized modification of the RPG-7 launcher

According to the leaked diplomatic cables, the United States and NATO diplomats also expressed concerns over Akhalaia's appointment as Minister of Defense "noting his poor human rights record" during his service as the chief of penitentiary service.

On September 20, 2012, amid protests against torture and rapes in Georgian prisons, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced Akhalaia had resigned from office.

On July 4, 2012, Akhalaia was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, succeeding on this position Ivane Merabishvili, who became Prime Minister in an important cabinet reshuffle months before the scheduled parliamentary election.

After the change of power in Georgia in 2012, on November 5 he had returned back to Georgia and as he said was ready to answer all the questions about “absurd” and “idiotic” allegations voiced against him.

It was the same day that an investigation was initiated following his return.