TBILISI, August 27 (RIA Novosti) - Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaya was named the country's defense minister on Thursday, replacing David Sikharulidze, the presidential administration said.

Akhalaya started working for the ministry early this year, and earlier held the post of head of the Justice Ministry's Prison Service.

Akhalaya said Thursday his main task was to "increase defense capacity." He also said the armed forces would be modernized and the process of NATO integration sped up.

This is a second dismissal in Georgia's government in less than seven days. Last Friday, Economic Development Minister Lazha Zhvaniya was dismissed by the premier and replaced by Zurab Pololikashvili, who had earlier been Georgia's ambassador to Spain.

In line with Georgia's Constitution, should five ministers be replaced, the issue of the Cabinet's makeup is put to parliament for approval.

President Mikheil Saakashvili said Thursday at a Security Council meeting that Sikharulidze would be appointed presidential advisor on international affairs.