The AWACS plane was given a one-hour test flight by senior NATO officials on Wednesday, although Georgia has not yet officially confirmed its interest in the craft.

The Russian foreign ministry said Georgia would "escalate the already tense situation in the south Caucasus" if it ordered the airborne surveillance systems.

"Russia's national security" was involved, Moscow said, adding in the statement that AWACs technology "could provide surveillance over a large portion of Russian territory without ever entering the country."

Georgia has sought membership of the NATO alliance as its relations with Russia continue to wane.

Moscow accuses Tbilisi of allowing alleged Chechen guerrilla to set up bases on its territory.

WAR.WIRE