Despite Russia’s attempt to totally destroy the Georgian army in last year’s war, the Georgian military’s “combative spirit and level of training is high as never before,” President Saakashvili said on July 30.

He was speaking to a group of officers at the Orpolo firing range in southern Georgia where he attended a final day of military maneuvers Shield-2009.

Over 1,000 servicemen, as well as battle tanks and armored vehicles; SU-25 ground attack aircraft and MI-24 helicopters participated in the largest drills held by Georgia after the August war.

According to the scenario of maneuvers, the Georgian troops had to repel an attack of brigade-size military unit and carry out a counter-attack.

Saakashvili told the officers that there was no other profession in Georgia “more important” than being a soldier. He also said that although already well-trained, the Georgian army still needed “more education and more training.”