Joint seven-day exercises of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Russia “West 2017” begin in Belarus today. the main objective exercises: to work out the interaction of various types of troops to ensure the military security of the Union State.

Number of participants

In total, up to 12,700 military personnel will take part in the exercises, of which about 10 thousand will be on Belarusian territory. About 3,000 of them are from Russia. It is planned to involve 370 units of armored vehicles in the maneuvers, including 140 tanks, up to 150 units of artillery, and more than 40 aircraft and helicopters.

Russian troops must leave Belarus before September 30, and the weapons and equipment of the Armed Forces of Belarus must return to their points of permanent deployment before this date.

Where will the exercises take place?

The exercises will take place at the Ruzhansky, Domanovo, Osipovichsky, Borisovsky, Lepelsky and Losvido training grounds. And also in the areas of Glubokoe and Dretun in the Vitebsk region.

At the same time, Chief of the General Staff Oleg Belokonev said that the training grounds were deliberately chosen far from the border.

During the exercise, the local authorities of the residents of Ivatsevichi should not go into the forest, and in Pruzhany they should look for people in camouflage.

The President of Russia will again pay a working visit to Belarus on February 25. The military-political alliance with Russia is spelled out in the new edition of the military doctrine of Belarus. At the same time, Minsk today believes that there is currently no threat of military action against it. The head of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said the day before that the republic does not plan to switch to a fully contract army and abandon conscription. According to him, conscript service allows you to quickly prepare a mobilization reserve that can be used in war time.

“There are few contract armies in the world. Contract army on modern stage for Belarus is premature and incorrect. To understand whether we need to switch to this or not, we need to look at those states where the war began. Take Ukraine: at first, for several years, they positioned the transition from a conscript army to a contract army. But as soon as something started, they switched to conscription, to military service,” Ravkov said in an interview with the Belarus 1 TV channel.

As President of the Republic Alexander Lukashenko noted, the country is currently improving its territorial defense system and actively studying the experience of the Ukrainian armed forces. Special attention Belarusian special operations forces focus on countering hybrid wars, preventing military conflicts on the territory of their country. At the same time, the Belarusian military states that not only the conflict in Ukraine is a danger, the deployment near the borders of Belarus is of concern.

“The danger of war always exists. Including the deployment of NATO forces and assets near the borders with Belarus, the build-up of a series of combat operational training activities near our borders, as well as a military conflict in Ukraine - all this is a military danger... But in order to develop into a [military] threat, there must be some specific actions of an alleged or potential enemy. There are no such actions yet; we cannot say that we now have a threat of starting a war. There is always a danger, but there is no threat,” said the Minister of Defense.

Army of a peaceful country

After the collapse of the USSR, the army of Belarus was formed in several stages; the date of its creation is considered to be the day of adoption of the resolution “On the creation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus” on March 20, 1992. IN Soviet time the total number of troops on the territory of Belarus was more than 280 thousand military personnel and civilian personnel.

Concentration military units and connections in Belarus during the Soviet era was the highest in Europe.

There was one military man for every 43 civilians, while in Ukraine the ratio was one to 98, in Kazakhstan - one to 118, and in Russia itself - one military man to 634 civilians.

In 1992-1996, more than 250 military formations in Belarus were partially reformed or completely ceased to exist, due to the fact that, in accordance with the final act of the Helsinki Agreement of July 10, 1992, the total number of the army should not exceed 100 thousand military personnel .

The Belarusian Armed Forces have two types of troops - ground forces and air forces and air defense forces (Air Force and Air Defense, which includes the Air Force, anti-aircraft missile, radio engineering and special troops and services). The special operations forces (SSO) of the republic also report directly. There are special troops (services) and logistics agencies. It is curious that Belarus is characterized by the annual involvement of military personnel in civilian activities: for example, harvesting.

By 2005, the armed forces consisted of 62 thousand people: 48 thousand military personnel and 13 thousand civilian personnel. The strength of the Belarusian army is within these limits even now, according to open sources, with another 350 thousand people in reserve. Officially, the Belarusian military does not give exact figures.

“What is the size of the armed forces in Peaceful time“, I have no right to say,” explained the head of the information department of the main directorate of ideological work of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus. - But there is a classic indicator, it is typical for both the 20th century and the present century - 10% of the country’s population. For example, Hitler's Germany violated this pattern and mobilized 13%, and at the end of the war - about 16% of the country's population. The size of the Red Army during the war was a maximum of 6.5-7.5% of the population Soviet Union. In other words, we can theoretically put 900 thousand people under arms, but, of course, we don’t need that many,” he added.

As a result of the reforms, according to open sources, the Armed Forces of Belarus now have two operational-tactical commands (Western and North-Western), including three mechanized, two air assault, one special forces, two missile, five artillery, two anti-aircraft missile brigades ground forces, three air bases, five anti-aircraft missile and two radio engineering brigades of the Air Force and Air Defense.

The most numerous and versatile type of armed forces in Belarus are the ground forces, which have great firepower and striking power, high maneuverability and independence.

The problem of obsolescence and lack of money

The problem of the Belarusian Armed Forces is the aging of weapons and military equipment and infrastructure, as well as a small budget.

The republic's army is armed with mainly Soviet equipment, which requires more and more financial investments in repairs and modernization. Belarusian analysts note that precisely because of the increase in repair costs in 2012, combat personnel All front-line Su-24 bombers and Su-27 fighters have been withdrawn.

As an arms expert explained in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, with the help of Russia, Belarus is today modernizing MiG-29 fighters and a small number of helicopters. On its own, the republic repairs the S-125 Pechora anti-aircraft missile systems, which it also sells abroad in “its version”. Belarusians independently carry out repairs of armored vehicles and automated control systems. Belarusian repair factories produce the necessary components, but when it comes to more high-tech systems, they cannot cope on their own. “For example, they are modernizing the Osa complexes. And more technologically advanced Buk-type systems work with Russia, similarly with the S-300 system,” says Murakhovsky.

According to the deputy director of the CIS Institute, the Belarusian military-industrial complex (MIC) is important element for the Russian military industry. Work in Belarus is carried out according to the same standards as in Russia.

“As for the Belarusian military industry, it is small, but quite modern and progressive.

The same tractors they make are quite satisfactory for the Russian missile forces. The Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems are also based on them. The Belarusian defense industry is an important part of the Russian-Belarusian defense complex,” Zharikhin noted.

Let us recall that some time ago Russia even tried to purchase a chassis supplying the Russian military-industrial complex for the Iskander operational-tactical missile systems, the Uragan, Smerch, Grad, Tornado multiple launch rocket systems, as well as anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 and S-400 and Buk and Tor air defense systems. Belarus refused to sell the enterprise; moreover, the republic expects to create its own multiple launch rocket system with a range of more than 200 km by 2017. In addition, the country has already created the Polonaise multiple launch rocket system, which has been put into service and should be delivered to the troops before July 1, 2016; they even want to start exporting it.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko regularly emphasizes the need to develop domestic military products and improve their quality. “It is not clear, for example, why we buy the same body armor in Russia if we have learned how to make them ourselves?

I ask a simple question: why is this necessary? Do we not have enough [equipment] of our own? Upgrade it.

Perhaps the quality of our defense sector of the economy is not yet up to par with global brands, and the cost is a little more expensive than foreign ones. So, we need to work together to bring domestic products to the required quality. Including during its use by the troops. Any product produced in the military-industrial complex must be immediately given to the army and thoroughly tested there,” Lukashenko said in October 2015. Wherein

There is no talk of total import substitution in the Belarusian defense industry.

Minsk also intends to maintain and improve cooperation with Russia. The State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus names Russia, China and “many other countries” as its main partners.

“We have a treaty and agreement [with Russia] on military-technical cooperation, it is strictly and strictly implemented, there is a program until 2020. Despite the tough measures being taken from outside in terms of tightening access to state defense orders, we have the opportunity to work with Russia,” noted the head of the department, Sergei Gurulev.

The date “2020” in Belarus is associated with big plans to rearm the army. So, after this milestone, the country must decide on the purchase of Russian S-400 Triumph missile systems and operational-tactical Iskanders, and perhaps even more advanced equipment, if such appears. According to a statement by Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments Igor Latenkov, the issue of purchasing Su-30SM fighters to replace the existing and aging MiG-29 will be resolved at the same time.

“The ability to destroy air targets after the acquisition of the Su-30 will increase, and combat missions, due to the larger tactical radius, can be carried out from any airfield in the country,” he said in an interview with the SB newspaper. Belarus today."

In the much more foreseeable future, the Belarusian army should receive 12 Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters and a battery of Tor-M2 air defense systems from Kazan. In addition, modernized T-72B tanks with new system fire control, updated armored personnel carriers and armored vehicles.

In the spring of 2015, the Belarusian Air Force received from Russia four of the newest Yak-130 combat training aircraft; a second contract (for four more units) was signed in August. And Minsk wants more. “In the near future, it is planned to purchase eight more of the same aircraft. As a result, a full-fledged Yak-130 squadron will be created and training of flight personnel will be organized,” the commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the republic told the Belarusian Military Newspaper at the end of August. According to him, the replacement of obsolete Soviet Su-25 attack aircraft is also being discussed.

Sore point

Airplanes are a very relevant topic for Belarus. It is not without reason that the issue of placing a Russian airbase on the territory of the republic has regularly come up recently. Thus, the Russian Federation and the Air Force Command two years ago announced plans to deploy a regiment of Su-27SM3 fighters in Belarus in 2015. There was no clear understanding of where exactly they were supposed to be based: in their statements, the Russian military mentioned either the airfield of the city of Lida, or Bobruisk, or Baranovichi. Let us note that within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, the issue of creating a collective aviation force of the organization is being discussed. In August 2015, the CSTO Deputy Secretary General reported that a proposal had already been prepared and the CSTO aviation forces would directly ensure the transfer of common forces and assets to one or another collective security region.

When the topic of stationing Russian pilots in Belarus began to be actively discussed in the media in 2015, the head of the republic hastened to refute these plans, citing the fact that there are no such conversations: “Lord, I don’t know anything about this! The person who has to make this decision, I, don’t know anything about it!” - Lukashenko was indignant.

An associate professor at the Department of International Security at the Faculty of World Politics explained to Gazeta.Ru that the proposal to locate a Russian air base in Belarus was made 20 years ago by the President of the Republic himself. “Lukashenko proposed this to Russia back in 1996, when the first wave of NATO expansion to the east was underway, he proposed placing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and creating military air bases. But Russia then refused and announced its return nuclear weapons to the Baltic Fleet, and that was the end of it,” he noted.

Realities have changed over 20 years; today there is no mood to host a Russian Air Force base on its territory. This is understandable, the country is trying to maintain multipolar relations, establishing interaction with Europe, and the Russian military in Belarus could cause concern on the Western side.

Instead of an airbase, Lukashenko offers Russia a completely logical option - to provide Minsk with planes. “Two years ago I asked the President of Russia: “Give us planes!” Give me 20 planes." So that we ensure the defense of them [Russia] too - we now have a joint air defense Russia and Belarus,” said Lukashenko.

“No, we can’t, we can’t produce it, etc.,” was the answer. “I invited the managers of our plant - we have a plant in Baranovichi for the repair and modernization of aircraft. I set the task: to put ten aircraft into service this year,” the president explained at a meeting with representatives of the defense industry in the fall of 2015. — The tenth plane will be delivered in November. Excellent aircraft, modernized fighters that worked air-to-air, today also work on the ground.”

Separately, the president emphasized the qualities of his pilots. “We have excellent pilots, we have good school military and civilian pilots. And why should I create a database? Why should I bring planes and pilots from other countries here today? What will our people do?” - noted the Belarusian president. Belarusian pilots, who participate in frequent joint exercises with Russia, regularly improve their training levels. They also demonstrate their skills by participating in the Aviadarts competition, which has been held for several years at training grounds in the Russian Federation - crews from Belarus take prizes in the competition. By the way, the competition of military pilots is truly an indicator of skill: Gazeta.Ru’s source in the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that all Russian crews who participated in Aviadarts today went through an operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria, where only the best are sent.

“In my opinion, from a military-technical point of view, this is a normal option,” notes military expert Murakhovsky. —

We can do this and lease out planes to them, just as we do this with India and nuclear submarines, I think that nothing prevents us from working together with Belarus on aviation.”

Expert Fenenko also considers this variant of military-technical cooperation acceptable. "Why not? Depending on what kind of planes they want, why not: of course, we can’t transfer strategists to them, but if it’s front-line aviation, then that’s fine. Especially within the framework of the CSTO,” he said in a conversation with Gazeta.Ru.

Of course, Belarus is not talking about strategic bombers. It would be quite logical to transfer modernized Su-27 fighters to Minsk. According to Murakhovsky, these could be more modern Su-30SM aircraft.

From the point of view of Deputy Director of the CIS Institute Vladimir Zharikhin, Russia does not have a “large surplus” of Su-27s: “Their production was carried out in previous years mainly for export, it cannot be said that we have a surplus of these aircraft that we could give away - we need it ourselves ", - he said. At the same time, the expert emphasized that Russia provides Belarus with “the full power of its missile nuclear forces”, guaranteeing that no one will “mess with” this country. “Belarus, as a military-political ally of Russia, is under the Russian nuclear umbrella, so the combat readiness of the Belarusian Armed Forces to resist an attack can be considered in purely theoretical terms,” the interlocutor added.

According to the Kremlin press service, Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Belarus on February 25 on a working visit, the agenda of which includes the adoption of the budget of the Union State for 2016, approval of the Program of Concerted Actions in the field of foreign policy for 2016-2017 and a number of other bilateral issues.

The Republics of Belarus occupy an important place in ensuring the military security of the state. They were created to protect the country’s sovereignty, protect its independence and, importantly, territorial integrity.

How it all began

Army size

This is a unique branch of the military for the state, which is directly subordinate to the General Staff. It is a local analogue airborne troops Russia and the GRU. Among its main tasks we can emphasize the conduct of reconnaissance and counter-sabotage activities, countering illegal armed groups, and preventing potential armed conflicts.

Military transport

Transport troops occupy an important place. The corresponding order about them was signed by the Commander-in-Chief, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. This became necessary to organize a universal system that could ensure the reliable operation of military transport and work equally effectively for all military formations.

In the presidential decree, the previously existing automobile and railway troops were combined into transport troops. To manage them, a corresponding department was created, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.

One of the main tasks of the transport troops is technical cover, as well as, if necessary, the rapid restoration and increase in the throughput of automobile and railways in the area of ​​combat operations.

Also, the main tasks of the department include direct control of transport troops, maintaining them in constant mobilization and combat readiness, as well as maintaining transport support for all units of the armed forces and formations.

At the same time, the overall global leadership of these troops is carried out by the Ministry of Defense. But direct command of the transport department today is in the hands of a major general named Sergei Ignatovich Novikov.

Territorial troops

IN last years In Belarus, the permanent size of the army is being reduced. This is one of the measures to stabilize the economic situation in the country. To ensure that cuts do not affect defense capability, the main emphasis is on organizing territorial defense.

These troops are a reserve component of the Belarusian army, they are designed to be quickly deployed if necessary, when a real threat appears or the outbreak of war.

The Belarusian territorial troops currently number more than one hundred thousand people (the regular army has half as many soldiers and officers). Such troops are recruited from among local residents(fit for military service) on a territorial basis. The military formations of such troops are rifle companies and battalions.

Tasks of the territorial troops

These include the protection of border areas and participation in maintaining order in the event of a state of emergency being declared. In wartime, they are called upon to provide defense, and in peacetime, the protection of military and government facilities of strategic importance.

Formations of territorial troops must resist enemy sabotage and landing forces, as well as all kinds of illegal armed groups. In cities and smaller populated areas their task is to carry out engineering measures to prepare infrastructure and arrange special defensive lines.

At the same time, they are called upon to eliminate the consequences of the use of weapons of mass destruction in cities and villages, carry out rescue operations and promptly carry out emergency recovery work.

Also, the Charter of the Territorial Forces provides for a clause stating that they can be used when conducting active armed struggle in territory temporarily captured by a potential enemy.

Republic of Belarus(RB) is the northern neighbor of Ukraine, the border with which is long (1084 km). Relations between our states have so far been good neighborly, and Ukraine never expected an attack from this direction. However, Ukraine did not expect an attack from its eastern neighbor- Russia, but it happened. Low-intensity positional battles are currently taking place in the Donbass, but a large-scale Russian offensive against Ukraine cannot be ruled out. And Belarus and Russia are in special relationship A union state, where Russia is the leading country and sponsor of Belarus, and their armed forces are integrated into the regional grouping of troops. In addition, Belarus is a key ally of Russia in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Belarus today is trying to protect itself from Ukraine: strengthening its southern borders, creating new border detachments, conducting numerous exercises and training, strengthening control over border crossings, etc.

Under these conditions, it is of particular concern the possibility of using the territory of Belarus as a springboard for an attack armed forces(Armed Forces) of Russia to Ukraine, as well as the likelihood that the Armed Forces of Belarus will take part in a joint aggression against Ukraine with the Russian Armed Forces. In connection with the latter, it is of interest Sun Belarus - their organization, weapons, as well as the possibility of rearmament with more modern military equipment.

The Armed Forces of Belarus were created after the declaration of independence of the country on the basis of the Belarusian Military District of the Armed Forces of the USSR, for which on September 20, 1991, the resolution of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus “On the creation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus” was adopted. Officially, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus were created on March 20, 1992, and on November 3, 1992, the Law “On the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus” was adopted.

Currently, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus include two types of armed forces - ground forces (ground forces), as well as the Air Force with air defense troops. In addition, there is a separate branch of the military - Special Operations Forces (SSO), special and transport troops, weapons service, logistics agencies, military units and organizations for support, maintenance and security, military universities, etc.

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus in 2016 had 65 thousand people. (including 48 thousand military personnel). For the Armed Forces, a mixed recruitment principle is used (60% contract soldiers and 40% conscripts). The 2016 military budget was $800 million (in 2014 - $750 million)

Ground Forces (16.5 thousand people) - the most numerous type of armed forces, designed to repel an armed attack by the enemy, hold occupied areas and lines, and defeat invading groups of troops.

The ground forces are controlled by the General Staff and are organizationally divided into two operational commands (OC): North-Western (Lithuanian-Latvian direction) and Western (Polish and Ukrainian directions), as well as individual formations and units of central subordination. See below for the operational composition of the Army.

Northwestern Operational Command (headquarters in Borisov):


  • 19th Nikolaev-Budapest separate mechanized brigade(OMBR, Zaslonovo): 10 battalions (3 motorized rifle, 2 tank, reconnaissance, communications, engineering, repair and restoration and material support), an artillery group of 4 divisions (2 self-propelled howitzers (SG), MLRS and anti-tank) , anti-aircraft missile and artillery battalion and medical company. In total, the brigade has 1.5 thousand people, 72 T-72B tanks, 185 armored fighting vehicles (155 BMP-2, 20 BRM-1K, 10 MT-LB), 30 SPTRK (18 9P148 “Konkurs” and 12 9P149 “Sturm- C"), 72 artillery systems (6 120-mm mortars 2S12 "Sani" and 12 82-mm BM-37, 18 122-mm SG 2S1 "Gvozdika" and 18 152-mm 2S3 "Akatsiya", 18 122-mm MLRS " Grad"), etc.;

  • 120th Rogachevskaya Infantry Brigade(Minsk; 339th separate mechanized group of tank and motorized rifle battalions, 334th and 355th tank battalions, 356th motorized rifle battalion, 310th artillery group, 149th communications battalion, 126th engineer battalion , 82nd repair and restoration battalion);

  • 3rd BKhVT (Uruchye, Minsk), on its base the 3rd Separate Separate Brigade can be deployed;

Personnel and weapons of the 120th Infantry Brigade and the 37th BKhVT: 1.75 thousand people, 135 T-72B, 300 armored fighting vehicles (250 BMP-2, 40 BRM-1K, 10 MT-LB), 60 SPTRK (36 "Competition" and 24 "Sturm-S"), St. 120 artillery systems (36 SG “Gvozdika”, 36 SG “Akatsia”, 12 “Msta-S”, 36 MLRS “Grad”, etc.) and other weapons;


  • 231st Artillery Brigade(Abr, Borovka; 4 artillery divisions (Adn), 36 152-mm self-propelled guns (SP) "Gyacinth" and 36 152-mm howitzers 2A65 "Msta-B");

  • 427th rocket artillery regiment (Osipovichi; 3 rocket divisions (Redn), 36 220-mm MLRS BM-27 "Hurricane", framed);

  • 740th Minsk Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade (Borisov; 3 anti-aircraft missile divisions (ZRdn), 36 BM SAM 9A33BM3 "Osa-AKM", framed);

  • 42nd separate radio technical battalion;

  • 244th Electronic Intelligence Center;

  • 7th Torun Engineer Regiment (Borisov);

  • 60th separate Baranovichi communications regiment (Borisov);

  • 814th Maintenance Center (Borisov; 2 repair and restoration battalions);

  • 37th Rechitskaya BHVT (Polotsk), on its base the 37th Separate Separate Brigade can be deployed;

  • 110th separate material support regiment (Borisov).

Western Operations Command (headquarters in Grodno):


  • 6th Kiev-Berlin Separate Brigade(Grodno): 1.5 thousand people, 72 T-72B, 190 armored fighting vehicles (160 BMP-2, 20 BRM-1K, 10 MT-LB), 30 SPTRK (18 “Konkurs” and 12 “Sturm-S” ), 72 artillery systems (6 Sani mortars and 12 BM-37, 18 Gvozdika SG, 18 Akatsiya SG, 18 Grad MLRS), etc.;

  • 11th Pre-Kapati-Berlin Separate Infantry Brigade(Slonim): 1.5 thousand people, 62 T-72B, 155 armored fighting vehicles (130 BMP-2, 20 BRM-1K, 5 MT-LB), 30 SPTRK (18 “Konkurs” and 12 “Sturm-S” ), 72 artillery systems (18 BM-37 mortars, 18 Gvozdika SG, 18 Akatsiya SG, 18 Grad MLRS), etc.;

  • 111th Artillery Brigade(Brest; 4 Adn, 36 joint venture "Gyacinth-S" and 36 howitzers "Msta-B");

  • 1199th Rocket Artillery Regiment (Slobudka; 3rd Redn, 36th MLRS "Uragan", framed);

  • 62nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade (Grodno; 3 ZRdn, 36 Osa-AKM launchers, framed);

  • 215th separate radio engineering regiment;

  • 36th separate radio technical battalion;

  • 255th separate radio engineering regiment special purpose(Novogrudok);

  • 557th Engineer Brigade (Grodno);

  • 74th separate Berlin Signal Regiment (Grodno);

  • 815th Maintenance Center;

  • 50th Donetsk BKhVT (Baranovichi), on its base the 50th infantry brigade can be deployed;

  • 108th separate logistics regiment.

Connections and units of central subordination :


  • 361st separate security and service base (Minsk; security battalion, 2 automobile battalions);

  • 465th Missile Brigade(Osipovichi; 3 Rdn, OTRK "Tochka-U");

  • 336th Reactive Brigade(Osipovichi; 3 Redn and 1 battery, 36 300-mm MLRS BM-30 “Smerch” and 4 301-mm V-200 “Polonaise”);

  • 51st Orsha Artillery Brigade(Osipovichi; 4 Adn, 36 “Msta-B” and 36 “Gyacinth-S”);

  • 2287th separate radio technical battalion (Brest);

  • 2nd engineering brigade (Minsk);

  • 188th engineering brigade (Mogilev).

Separate mechanized brigades are the main combat formations of the ground forces. A brigade usually includes a command and control unit, 10 battalions (3 motorized rifle, 2 tank, reconnaissance, communications, engineering, repair and restoration and logistics battalions), an artillery group, an anti-aircraft missile and artillery battalion and a medical company. The 120th Mechanized Brigade has 3 tank and 2 motorized rifle battalions, the rest of the units - see above.

In the 6th, 11th and 19th Separate Brigadeson staff 62-72 T-72B tanks, 155-190 armored fighting vehicles (130-160 BMP-2, 20 BRM-1K, 5-10 MT-LB), 72 artillery systems (18 Sani or BM-37 mortars, 18 SG "Gvozdika" and 18 "Akatsiya", 18 MLRS "Grad"), 6 "Rapira" cannons, 30 SPTRK (18 "Konkurs" and 12 "Sturm-S"), 6 BM SAM "Strela-10", 6 ZPRK " Tunguska" or ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" and 54 MANPADS "Igla".

The 120th Mechanized Brigade has 94 T-72B tanks, 115 armored fighting vehicles (90 BMP-2, 20 BRM-1K, 5 MT-LB), 78 artillery systems (18 SG “Gvozdika”, 18 “Akatsia” and 12 “Msta- S", 18 MLRS "Grad"), 6 "Rapira" cannons, 30 SPTRK (18 "Konkurs" and 12 "Sturm-S"), 6 BM SAM "Strela-10", 6 SAM "Tunguska" and 54 MANPADS " Needle". In terms of composition, organization and armament, this brigade is actually a tank brigade; it represents the main strike force of the Army.

On the basis of each reduced-strength infantry brigade, reservist service training centers were organized, which undergo 4-6 high-intensity training sessions over the course of three years. As reported, before 2011, the 37th and 50th Mechanized Brigades of reduced strength were again reduced to BKhVT.

In addition, in the northeastern part of the Republic of Belarus there is another military tank (3rd), formed by the merger of the 3rd and 30th military tanks. It is located in the Uruchye garrison, Minsk, and one infantry brigade can be deployed at its base. In the same garrison is located Military Academy(2.5 thousand cadets, several hundred teachers), and on its base (plus the conscript contingent of Minsk) 1-2 infantry brigades can also be deployed. And in Pechi the 72nd is located The educational center(up to 5 thousand people), and on its base (plus the conscript contingent of the city of Borisov) up to two infantry brigades can also be deployed. In total, after the deployment of the 3rd, 37th and 50th armored combat vehicles in the Army there will be seven infantry brigades, and after the full deployment of the Army there may be up to ten infantry brigades, but three of them will be of reduced strength and with outdated weapons.

Combat training in NE RB. Every year, the OMBR conducts brigade exercises with the call-up of part of the assigned personnel from the reserve and general exercises of the ground forces, and once every 2 years - general exercises of the armed forces, in which 7-9 thousand people participate. In addition, random checks are periodically carried out, during which the brigade is put on full alert - several thousand people are called up and weapons and military equipment are removed from storage. In 2005, the 28th BKhVT was inspected, in 2007 - the 19th BKhVT.

Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus ( 6 thousand people) - a highly mobile branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, which is the successor to the Airborne Forces and Special Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and created on their basis in 2007. They are highly mobile rapid reaction units and are the most combat-ready troops in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

MTR include:


  • 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade(Brest);

  • 103rd Guards Separate Airborne Brigade(Vitebsk);

  • 5th separate brigade special purpose (SpN, Maryina Gorka).

There are also special forces units to perform tasks of particular importance:


  • 33rd Guards Separate Special Forces Detachment (composed of officers and warrant officers);

  • Special Squad 5 separate brigade Special Forces (“officer company”);

  • 527th separate company of special forces;

  • 22nd Special Forces Company (Western Operational Command).

Separate mobile brigade has a command and control unit, 4 battalions (2 mobile on BTR-80, airmobile, communications), an artillery division (D-30 howitzers), an anti-aircraft missile and artillery division (ZU-23 and Igla MANPADS), an anti-tank battery (ATGM "Fagot") , 6 companies (reconnaissance, engineer-sapper, security and maintenance, repair, logistics, medical) and a platoon of the Russian Chemical Defense Plant. The mobile battalion has up to 36 BTR-80, 6 82-mm BM-37 mortars, 6 30-mm AGS-17 grenade launchers, 6 Metis ATGMs and MAZ-6317 vehicles.

In total, the brigade has up to 1.8 thousand people, 75 BTR-80, 18 82-mm BM-37 mortars, 18 30-mm AGS-17 grenade launchers, 24 ATGMs (18 “Metis” and 6 “Fagot”), 12 122 mm D-30 howitzers, 6 23 mm ZU-23, Igla MANPADS.

Separate airborne brigade probably similar to a mobile brigade. However, it is possible that she transferred her mobile battalions to her and received an airmobile battalion in return. Although there are not enough transport aircraft and Air Force helicopters to provide air mobility for this brigade.

Separate Special Forces Brigade has a directorate, 4 detachments (3 special forces, communications) and 3 companies (headquarters, logistics, medical). The SpP brigade has Cayman armored vehicles, light Tiger and Bogatyr armored vehicles.

Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Republic of Belarus (15 thousand people) were initially created separately, as the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. In particular, on June 15, 1992, on the basis of the control of the 26th Air Army of the USSR Air Force, the command of the Air Force of the Republic of Belarus was formed, and on August 1, 1992, on the basis of the air defense control of the Belarusian Military District and the 2nd Separate Air Defense Army, the command of the Air Defense Forces was formed RB. In 2001, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus were merged into one branch of the Armed Forces.

Their operational composition includes:


  • Air Force and Air Defense Command (Minsk);

  • 61st Fighter Base(Baranovichi, 24 MiG-29 plus 21 Su-27 in storage);

  • 50th Combined Air Base(Machulishchi, aircraft: 2 Il-76MD, 5 An-26/24, 2 An-12, 1 Tu-134; helicopters: 7 Mi-24, 8 Mi-8, 12 Mi-8MTV-5, 5 Mi-26 );

  • 116th Guards Radom Assault Air Base(Lida, 12 Su-25 plus 20 in storage), as well as the 206th flight training center (8 Yak-130, ? L-39);

  • 483rd Security, Maintenance and Support Base (Minsk);

  • 8th Radio Engineering Brigade (Baranovichi);

  • 49th radio technical brigade (Valeryanovo, Minsk region);

  • 56th Tilsit Separate Signal Regiment (Minsk);

  • 83rd separate engineering and airfield regiment (Bobruisk, Grodno);

  • 1st anti-aircraft missile regiment(Grodno, 2 air defense missile forces with 12 S-300PS air defense missile launchers);

  • 15th anti-aircraft missile brigade(Fanipol, Minsk region, 5 ZRdn for 8 S-300PT air defense missile launchers);

  • 56th anti-aircraft missile brigade(Slutsk, Minsk region, 2 air defense missile systems with 6 self-propelled guns and 3 missile launchers for the Buk-M1 air defense system);

  • 115th anti-aircraft missile regiment(Brest-Grodno, 2 air defense missile forces with 12 S-300PS air defense missile launchers);

  • 120th Yaroslavl anti-aircraft missile brigade(Baranovichi, 2 ZRdn with 6 self-propelled guns and 3 PZU Buk-M1 air defense systems, 1 ZRdn with 12 BM Tor-M2K air defense systems);

  • 825th anti-aircraft missile regiment(Polotsk, Vitebsk region, 4 air defense missile forces for 8 S-300PS air defense missile launchers);

  • 147th anti-aircraft missile brigade(Bobruisk, 3 ZRdn with 12 launchers and 6 PZU S-300V air defense systems);

  • 927th center for the training and use of UAVs (Bereza, Brest region).

A pilot's annual flight time is 70-75 hours. There are 50 posts, 9 command posts of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, 20 radio engineering units and separate radar stations, 2 anti-aircraft missile divisions, 5 guidance points on daily air defense combat duty.

Territorial Defense Troopswere first demonstrated in 2002 at the Berezina-2002 exercises. The republic has serious hopes for them. In the event of the occupation of Belarus by the enemy, they must receive weapons and form regional partisan detachments battalion and company strength. Maintaining such troops is much cheaper than regular armed forces, and Belarus has rich partisan experience. In 2015, against the backdrop of Ukrainian events, maintenance management bodies have already taken part in more than 40 events, incl. checking the system for strengthening border security in the southern direction and territorial defense of the Gomel region.

Paramilitary forces(110 thousand people) include the police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (87 thousand people, internal troops Ministry of Internal Affairs (11 thousand people) and border troops(12 thousand people). Based on the number of forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (98 thousand people), which are 1.5 times larger than the Armed Forces, it is clear that the leadership of Belarus considers the internal threat more serious than the external one.

The defense industry of Belarus copes with the repair of weapons and military equipment and the supply of spare parts, and maintenance centers carry out routine maintenance. Limited modernization of a number of weapons and military equipment is also possible, incl. tanks T-72B, BMP-2, MLRS "Grad", air defense systems "Strela-10" and "Osa-AKM". However, in the Republic of Belarus there are no enterprises that produce the main armament of the army (tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons) on a full cycle. Only trucks and tractors, controls and communications equipment are produced. The defense industry complex of the Republic of Belarus created, with the help of Ukraine, anti-tank systems, short-range air defense systems, and with the help of China - MLRS/OTRK, but Belarus does not have enough funds to purchase them in the required quantities.

MTR armament. The mobile and airborne brigades have BTR-70/80 armored personnel carriers and MAZ-6317 vehicles for transporting soldiers. The BTR-70 is planned to be upgraded to the BTR-70MB1. 32 new BTR-82A BTRs were purchased from the Russian Federation. The artillery of the brigades is represented by 122-mm D-30 howitzers and 82-mm BM-37 mortars, anti-tank weapons include the Metis and Fagot ATGMs, and anti-aircraft weapons - 23-mm ZU-23 and Igla MANPADS.

IN Special Forces brigade there are medium Belarusian 4x4 "Cayman" BA (built on the BRDM-2 chassis) and light "Lis-PM" (licensed Russian "Tiger" BA), light Chinese 4x4 Dongfeng Mengshi "Bogatyr" and CS/VN-3 "Dragon" BA . In Belarus, a new 4x4 VOLAT V1 BA and a TGM 3M tracked transporter were created, and on its basis - a self-propelled gun "Moskit" with an ATGM "Shershen-D".

The MTR's small arms include 5.45-mm AK-74M and 5.66-mm APS (underwater) submachine guns, 9-mm 9A-91 and PP-93 submachine guns, 7.62-mm PSS and 9-mm silent pistols. mm PB, 5.45 mm RPKS-74 (manual) and 7.62 mm PKM (easel) machine guns, 7.62 mm SVD and MTs-116M sniper rifles, 9 mm VSK-94 (silent) and 12 .7-mm OSV-96, 40-mm GP-25 (under-barrel), RPG-7D (anti-tank) grenade launchers and 30-mm automatic AGS-17.

The MTR received new equipment: digital radio station R-168-0.1, unloading system, Atravm body armor, ZSh-1 and P-27 helmets, PNN-3 and ONV-2 night vision devices and goggles (AN/PVS-14) , collimator sights PK-AA/AV and night sights PKN-03M, PNV-2K (AN/PVS-17), laser rangefinder DL-1, UAVs, motorized hang gliders, parachutes “Lesnik-3/3M”; Tandem parachutes are being tested. The delivery of new UAVs (Moskit-N and Busel M50) is planned. This shows that in the MTR the share of new weapons and equipment (including foreign) is significantly higher than in the Army, and it continues to arrive.

Armament of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. By the time of the collapse of the USSR, 427 combat aircraft (250 modern at that time, including 42 Su-24, 99 Su-25, 25 Su-27, 84 MiG-29) and 220 helicopters, including 78 attack Mi, were stationed in the BSSR -24V/P, as well as 53 air defense missile systems (334 launchers) air defense systems and air defense systems, incl. 10 (60 PU) S-200, 8 (96) S-300PT/PS, 19 (114) S-75 and 16 (64) S-125. According to the CFE Treaty, quotas were established for the Republic of Belarus at 260 combat aircraft and 80 attack helicopters.

As a result, many aircraft (outdated and with expired service life) were removed from service, incl. Su-24M completely, and all Su-27s were put into reserve, which greatly weakened the strike and fighter potential of the Air Force. 12 Su-25 attack aircraft and 24 MiG-29 fighters with a shorter range and combat load remained in service. Aviation turned out to be the weakest part of the Belarusian Armed Forces. In the air defense forces, all S-75, S-125 and S-200 air defense systems were removed from service, but this was partially compensated by the transfer from the military air defense to the country's air defense forces of all S-300V air defense systems and Buk-M1 air defense systems, as well as supplies from Russia used S-300PS air defense systems and a small number of new Tor-M2K air defense systems.

Currently, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus have 36 combat aircraft (12 Su-25 and 24 MiG-29), 32 helicopters (including 7 Mi-24P attack aircraft), 27 air defense systems (294 launchers, self-propelled guns, PZU and BM) air defense systems and air defense systems, incl. 13 (120) S-300PT/PS, 3 (54) S-300V, 4 (36) Buk-M1, 6 (72) Osa-AKM, 1 (12) Tor-M2K.

The standard attack aircraft are 12 Su-25 attack aircraft and Su-25UB combat trainers (plus 20 in storage).

The standard fighters are 12 MiG-29 and 12 modernized MiG-29BM (with a radar modified for the use of air-to-ground weapons, a satellite navigation station and in-flight refueling facilities), as well as combat training MiG-29UB. After 2020, it is planned to replace the MiG-29 fighters with new multi-role aircraft, and 12 Su-30SM have been ordered from the Russian Federation.

There are enough Air Force combat aircraft in service to staff two regiments (attack and fighter). There are 17 Su-27 fighters and 4 Su-27UBM1 combat trainers in storage (it was planned to modernize the Su-27 with a radar modified for the use of air-to-ground weapons and other improvements). Another regiment of fighters may be deployed with them.

The Air Force has only 10 transport aircraft: 2 Il-76MD (planned to modernize), An-26RT, 4 An-26/24, 2 An-12, 1 Tu-134.

Training aircraft include 8 Yak-130 (delivered from Russia) and 10 L-39 (purchased from Ukraine). It is planned to receive 4 more Yak-130s.

Attack helicopters include 7 Mi-24P (upgrade planned).

Transport helicopters include 8 Mi-8 (including modernized MTKO), 12 Mi-8MTV-5 (recently delivered from Russia) and 5 Mi-26.

Belarusian UAVs “Berkut-1/2”, “Grif-1” and “Grif-100” (models 120K and 150K), reconnaissance and attack helicopter UAV INDELA-I.N.SKY (weight 140 kg, carries 2 thermobaric grenade launchers) are being purchased. It is also planned to purchase Russian UAVs. Belarusian UAVs have been developed: small "Moskit-N", "Casper" (weight 9 kg), "Busel M50" (10 kg), "Albatross" (19 kg), long-range reconnaissance and attack UAV "Burevestnik MB" (weight 250 kg, carries 2 attack UAVs of 26 kg each with a flight range of 35 km or 8 57-mm NAR) and BELAR YS-EX (together with the UAE, weight 1400 kg, including load 280 kg, flight duration over 24 hours) .

The air defense forces have the S-300PT/PS air defense systems (some were supplied by Russia, the S-300PS is being overhauled and modified), there are also the S-300V and Buk-M1 transferred from the Army, plus the new Tor-M2K delivered to the Russian Federation. Modernized air defense systems Osa-1T and Buk-MB have been developed, and a new air defense system T-38 Stiletto has been created jointly with Ukraine. After 2020, it is planned to receive new S-400 air defense systems (2 divisions) from the Russian Federation.

The radio engineering troops are receiving new Rosa-RB radars and Vostok-D radar complexes, Groza-R electronic warfare complexes (jamming UAVs) and Naves (jamming radio navigation and GPS systems), created by the defense industry of Belarus. Almost all radars in service with the Belarusian Armed Forces have been overhauled. A new “Protivnik-GE” radar was purchased in Russia; by 2020, it is planned to purchase 6 more units.

But most of the weapons of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces are outdated. Fighters, attack aircraft, training aircraft (except the Yak-130), air defense systems and air defense systems (except Tor-M2K), radars, automation equipment and electronic warfare systems need to be modernized or replaced.

The defense industry of Belarus copes with the repair of weapons and military equipment and the supply of spare parts, and maintenance centers carry out routine maintenance. Limited modernization of a number of weapons and military equipment is also possible, incl. SAM systems "Osa-AKM" and "Buk-M1". However, in the Republic of Belarus there are no enterprises that produce the main weapons and military equipment (airplanes, helicopters and anti-aircraft weapons) on a full cycle. The new T-38 Stiletto air defense system was created jointly with Ukraine. UAVs, radars and a number of automation equipment are produced independently.

The Russian defense industry has supplied 8 Yak-130 training aircraft, 12 Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters and 12 Tor-M2K air defense systems.

It is known that Minsk has long sent Moscow orders for the Tor-M2K air defense system and S-400 air defense system, Iskander tactical missile system, Su-30, Su-34 combat aircraft, Yak-130 combat training aircraft, modernized Il-76MD, attack aircraft Mi-28N helicopters. All of them were included in the State Program for the Rearmament of the Republic of Belarus for 2006-2015. But the loss of a number of technologies and the shortage of production capacity of the Russian defense industry, along with the high cost of weapons and military equipment, have become a serious obstacle to the implementation of programs for the rearmament of the Belarusian Armed Forces at the expense of the Russian defense industry. We should also add here the economic difficulties that Russia itself has been experiencing lately.

Over the course of this year and a half in the Army, the 19th BKhVT was deployed into a mechanized brigade, the 502nd anti-tank artillery regiment was reduced, and the 51st artillery group consisting of the 171st and 178th Abr, as well as the 170th BKhVT was reorganized into the 51st -yu Abr. The 62nd 740th anti-aircraft missile brigades, 427th and 1199th rocket artillery regiments were formed.

In the MTR, the 103rd separate mobile brigade was renamed the airborne brigade.

In the Air Force, aircraft and flight personnel of the 181st helicopter base joined the 50th mixed air base. In the air defense forces, the 15th and 302nd anti-aircraft missile brigades were disbanded, and the 1st anti-aircraft missile regiment was formed.

The armament of the ground forces has undergone a slight reduction, incl. SP 2S7, obsolete D-20 and D-1 howitzers, 9P138 MLRS, but new powerful Polonaise MLRS appeared. In the MTR, worn-out weapons were also reduced (BMD-1, BTR-D and SAO 2S9), but new BA "Caiman", "Fox" and "Dragon" arrived there.

But in the Air Force there was a landslide reduction in the number of combat aircraft in service (from 69 to 36, including from 37 to 24 MiG-29 and from 22 to 12 Su-25), as well as Mi-24 attack helicopters (from 21 to 7), 16 reconnaissance Mi-24R/K and multi-purpose Mi-8 (from 42 to 8). Only 4 training Yak-130 and 12 Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters, as well as UAVs, were delivered; it is planned to purchase 12 Su-30SM and 4 Yak-130.

The situation is better in the air defense forces. The obsolete S-200M and S-125M2 air defense systems, part of the Buk-M1 air defense system, were reduced, but the S-300PS air defense system and Tor-M2K BM were received. The number of divisions decreased from 29 to 27, but the number of launchers and ROMs increased from 243 to 294 (including the number of S-300PS/PT divisions increased from 9 to 13, and launchers - from 64 to 120). The purchase of 2 divisions of S-400 and new radars is planned.

All this shows the critical dependence of the Belarusian Armed Forces on arms and military equipment supplies from Russia. And if the issue regarding the armament of the ground forces, special forces and air defense forces is partially resolved through modernization and military-technical cooperation with Russia and China, then a serious problem has arisen regarding the Air Force aircraft.

Conclusion:

The possibility of using the territory of Belarus as a springboard for an attack by the Russian Armed Forces on Ukraine diverts significant forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to this direction. The danger will seriously increase if the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus take part in a joint aggression against Ukraine with the Russian Armed Forces. In this regard, it is of interest Sun Belarus and their combat capabilities.

It is necessary to note the creation in Belarus, with Chinese help (and with Chinese M200/20 missiles), of the universal MLRS/OTRK "Polonaise" with a firing range of 200/280 km and a CEP of 30 m. That is, Belarus received a high-precision means of European-strategic non-nuclear deterrence. At the same time, the M20 missile is being improved with an increase in firing range to 500 km.

Almost all the weapons of the Belarusian Armed Forces are outdated and need modernization or replacement. The defense industry of Belarus copes with the repair of weapons and military equipment and the supply of spare parts, and maintenance centers cope with routine maintenance. Limited modernization of a number of weapons and military equipment is also possible, incl. T-72B, BMP-2, BRDM-2 tanks, Grad MLRS, Strela-10, Osa-AKM and Buk-M1 air defense systems, Mig-29 and Su-27 fighters. However, in the Republic of Belarus there are no enterprises that produce the main arms and military equipment on a full cycle. Only trucks and tractors, radars, control and communication equipment, and UAVs are produced. The defense industry complex of the Republic of Belarus has created, with foreign assistance, the Skif and Hornet anti-tank systems, the Stilet air defense system, and the Polonez MLRS/OTRK, but Belarus does not have the means to purchase them. The Russian defense industry is currently unable to meet the needs of the Belarusian Armed Forces for new weapons.

A comparison of the organization and armament of the Belarusian Armed Forces at the end of 2015 and the middle of 2017 shows that over these one and a half years, the 1st BKhVT was deployed into the Separate Mechanized Brigade, the anti-tank artillery regiment was reduced, and the artillery group (2 Abr and 1 BKhVT) was reorganized into the 1st Abr. 2 air defense brigades and 2 ReAp were formed, 2 air bases were merged, and 2 air defense brigades were disbanded, but 1 air defense brigade was formed.

During the same period, the 2S7 SP, D-20 and D-1 howitzers, and 9P138 MLRS were reduced in the NE, but new Polonaise MLRS appeared. The MTR reduced the BMD-1, BTR-D and SAO 2S9, but new BA "Caiman", "Fox" and "Dragon" arrived. But the Air Force experienced a massive reduction in the number of combat aircraft in service (from 37 to 24 MiG-29 and from 22 to 12 Su-25), as well as Mi-24 attack helicopters (from 21 to 7), 16 reconnaissance Mi-24R/K and multi-purpose Mi-8 (from 42 to 8). Only 4 training Yak-130 and 12 Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters, as well as UAVs, were delivered; it is planned to purchase 12 Su-30SM and 4 Yak-130. In the air defense forces, the obsolete S-200M and S-125M2 air defense systems, part of the Buk-M1 air defense system, were reduced, but the S-300PS air defense system and the Tor-M2K BM were received. The number of divisions decreased from 29 to 27, but the number of launchers and ROMs increased from 243 to 294 (including the number of S-300PS/PT divisions - from 9 to 13, and launchers - from 64 to 120). The purchase of 2 divisions of S-400 and new radars is planned. All this shows the critical dependence of the Belarusian Armed Forces on arms and military equipment supplies from Russia. And if with regard to the armament of the ground forces, special forces and air defense forces, the issue is partially resolved by modernization and through military-technical cooperation with Russia and China, then a problem has arisen with regard to the aircraft of the Air Force.

According to the Belarusian president, the people will not forgive the authorities if they do not ensure their security. " Therefore, if the last ruble remains in the state budget or pocket, then it should be spent on the safety of our people, on the safe life of the people. This is the main thing».

In this context, a reasonable question arises: what are the real combat capabilities of the Belarusian army? And what really needs to be done to bring its combat effectiveness in line with the requirements of the moment?

The Armed Forces of independent Belarus had a very solid base - the Red Banner Belarusian Military District (KBVO), the most powerful in the Soviet Union. He "supported" the Group Soviet troops in Germany, stationed on the territory of the then GDR, that is, it was in the most important strategic direction at that time.

In addition to the huge armed group, on the territory of the BSSR there was an infrastructure that ensured the livelihoods and combat use of these troops if necessary. Namely: warehouses, the densest network of access roads in the USSR, reserves of military equipment intended for the deployment here of an army of 500 thousand, and according to some sources, a million people.

The date of creation of the Belarusian army can be considered March 20, 1992, when the government decree “On the creation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus” was adopted. In accordance with it, the former KBVO troops began to transform into the army of an independent country.

The reform took place in two stages. At the first (1992), the troops were reduced by almost 30 thousand people, their operational purpose was determined, and basic guiding documents were developed. At the second stage (1993-1994), the reduction of the army was basically completed, its structural transformations were carried out, and the management system was reformed.

In Soviet times, the total number of troops on the territory of Belarus was more than 280 thousand military personnel, workers and employees. The concentration of military units and formations here was the highest in Europe. There was one military man for every 43 civilians. (For comparison: in Ukraine – by 98, in Kazakhstan – by 118, in Russia – by 634 people.)

Relatively small European country with a population of ten million, there was no need for such prohibitively large Armed Forces: it was too expensive to maintain and equip. In addition, their total number, in accordance with the final act of the Helsinki Agreement of July 10, 1992, should not have exceeded 100 thousand military personnel.

In this regard, in 1992-1996, over 250 military formations ceased to exist or were transformed, falling under the jurisdiction of Belarus. By 2005, the total strength of the Armed Forces was 62 thousand people: 48 thousand military personnel and 13 thousand civilian personnel. The strength of the Belarusian army remains within these limits to this day.

At the same time, the amount of military equipment and weapons was seriously reduced. In accordance with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the documents adopted in its development, Belarus agreed to limit its weapons to 1,800 tanks, 2,600 armored combat vehicles, 1,615 artillery systems, 260 combat aircraft, 80 attack helicopters.

This reduction was implemented by the beginning of 1996. Around the same time, the process of nuclear missile disarmament of Belarus was completed in accordance with agreements reached by the USSR and the USA.

Inheritance is a property

By this time, the structural reform of the army had largely been completed. So, combined arms and tank armies were transformed into army corps, and then operational-tactical commands were created on their basis; motorized rifle and tank divisions - into separate mechanized brigades (or into storage bases for weapons and equipment); an airborne division, a separate airborne brigade, as well as the 5th GRU special forces brigade - in the Mobile Forces (later - Special Operations Forces) as part of three mobile brigades; air divisions and regiments - to air bases.

On final stage reforms, the powers of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff were divided, as is customary in most countries of the world. Since December 2001, the Armed Forces have transitioned to a two-service structure: ground forces and air forces and air defense forces.

Now the Armed Forces of Belarus include two operational-tactical commands (Western and North-Western), which include 3 mechanized, 2 mobile (airborne assault), 1 special forces, 2 missile, 5 artillery, 2 anti-aircraft missile brigades of ground forces, 3 air bases, 5 anti-aircraft missile and 2 radio technical air force and air defense brigades. (We especially emphasize: based on the experience of the first and second wars in the Persian Gulf and the Balkan war, a powerful air defense system was deployed in Belarus.)

As for recruiting the Armed Forces, we settled on a mixed principle: both through conscripts and contract soldiers. It continues to this day. This allows Belarus, if necessary, to put a substantial contingent under arms - about half a million people.

The conscription age in the country is from 18 to 27 years. Conscript who graduated from higher education educational institution, serves for 1 year, and for all others the period of stay in the army is 18 months. In addition, contract service is provided in Belarus. And from the second half of 2016, an alternative service will be introduced. Spring conscription occurs in May, autumn – in November.

Created and one system military education, training and retraining of army personnel, including the training of specialized specialists at military faculties of civilian universities.

And there is something to arm all these military personnel: in the arsenals of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus there are about 1,600 tanks, 2,500 armored vehicles, 1,490 artillery systems. Even after all the cuts By the number of tanks, armored vehicles and guns per thousand military personnel, Belarus ranks first in Europe.

And its closest neighbors - Poland and Ukraine (before the events in Donbass and the associated losses) - Belarus also surpasses in the absolute number of heavy weapons of ground forces: in tanks - 1.8 and 2.1 times, respectively; for armored vehicles - 1.6 and 1.2 times; for heavy artillery systems - 2 and 1.3 times. As for another neighbor - Lithuania, there is nothing to compare here, since this NATO outpost does not have its own tanks at all, and armored vehicles and guns are “cat crying”.

However, all these comparisons are rather arbitrary, since Poland and Lithuania have the entire military potential of the North Atlantic Alliance on their side. On the other hand, Belarus is an ally of a huge nuclear power – Russia. Nevertheless, these calculations fully support the thesis that the Belarusian army represents a fairly significant military force on the scale of the Eastern European region.

And this applies not only to the number of weapons. The structure and principle of recruitment of the Armed Forces of Belarus generally correspond to those accepted in Europe. In terms of training and training of soldiers, the Belarusian army, according to experts, is also among the most combat-ready on the continent. The main emphasis in training personnel is on actions in mobile defense conditions.

Among the priority areas for technical improvement of the Armed Forces of Belarus is the development of air defense, aviation, missile forces, forces and means of electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and communications.

Is the sword strong enough?

However, it would be biased to speak about the Belarusian army only in excellent terms. One of its main problems is the aging of weapons and military equipment (W&M), as well as the infrastructure supporting the activities of the Armed Forces. They are still Soviet; over time, the condition of weapons and military equipment is constantly deteriorating, the maintenance of their fleet is becoming more and more expensive, and more and more funds are required for repairs and modernization.

At a certain point, these costs become prohibitive. For this reason, in 2012, all and were withdrawn from the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces. But a huge amount of money is needed in order to purchase new technology to replace the one leaving. Today a combat aircraft costs 30-50 million dollars, one tank costs 2.5-3 million dollars. And we need a lot of such combat units.

S-300 air defense missile system launch complex

The poor Belarusian state cannot afford such expenses. As a result, the share of modern weapons and military equipment in the Belarusian army tends to decrease. Even high-ranking military officials are forced to admit that the pace of its rearmament is behind schedule. The situation became especially aggravated with the onset of the economic crisis.

The modernization of the Belarusian army could be accelerated by the assistance of Russia, which has an immeasurably greater potential in military science and the defense industry. It is known that Minsk has long sent Moscow orders for short-range and long-range anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs), Iskander operational-tactical systems (OTRK), etc.

The same list includes Su-30 combat aircraft, combat trainers, modernized Il-76 transport aircraft, and attack helicopters. All these samples were placed in State program re-equipment of the Republic of Belarus for 2006-2015.

But the loss of a number of technologies and the shortage of production capacity at enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex, along with the high cost of military equipment and weapons, have become a serious obstacle to the implementation of rearmament programs for the Belarusian army at the expense of the Russian military-industrial complex. We should also add here the economic difficulties that Russia itself has been experiencing lately.

As the Minister of Defense of the Republic Andrei Ravkov said on December 21, 2015 in an interview with the Arsenal program of Belarusian television, over the past five years, the Tor-M2 air defense system has been purchased and put into service for the country’s Air Force and Air Defense Forces as part of a division, a link (4 units .) UBS Yak-130, as well as 4 anti-aircraft missile divisions of the S-300PS air defense system from the presence of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

In the future, the leadership of the Belarusian military department hopes, despite the difficulties (their own and that of their partner), to purchase Su-30 multirole fighters from Russia, to continue purchasing Yak-130 aircraft and Tor-M2 air defense systems, as well as equipment and equipment for the needs of radio engineering troops.

According to a recent statement by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus, Major General Igor Lotenkov, Belarus and Russia have reached a preliminary agreement on the supply of Su-30 fighters for the needs of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces to replace the MiG-29s in service, which are already about 30 years old. “Having calculated how much it costs us to maintain them, we came to the conclusion that updating the park aircraft, albeit in slightly smaller quantities, will require less significant amounts of funding.”

Meanwhile, given the insignificant amount of funds that Belarus is able to allocate for the re-equipment of its Armed Forces, there is no need to talk about any significant supplies of military innovations from the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus. And, apparently, this situation may exist indefinitely.

And don’t be bad yourself

The situation can be at least partially corrected by the Belarusian military-industrial complex, which, along with the implementation of programs for modernizing existing military and military equipment, produces navigation instruments, flight systems, space and satellite communications, antenna devices, radio stations, on-board and stationary computer systems, automation systems and software, as well as optical-mechanical, control and assembly equipment for the manufacture of ultra-large integrated circuits.

The results of the domestic defense industry in the development of aerospace optical-electronic equipment for obtaining digital electronic cards surface of the Earth, navigation support for high-precision weapons. Unique application software systems provide control of radar and laser-optical missile defense systems and missile attack warning stations. Currently, Belarus produces a number of special-purpose and dual-use equipment, which has no foreign analogues at all.

According to the statement of the Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee (GVPK) Sergei Gurulev, made on January 29, 2016 at the board of the department with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko and the head of the Ministry of Defense Andrei Ravkov, over the last five years, organizations of the military-industrial complex have created and put into production a whole range of new promising types of weapons and military equipment.

Specialists of OJSC "MZKT" in short time lightly armored combat vehicle "Fox" has been developed and prepared for production

This - modern systems communication and information transmission (hardware communication cabin P-261 "Muscat", radio relay station "Citrus", radio relay station "Potok" (R-429) and "Line" (R-424), portable digital radio stations R-180 and R- 181, electronic warfare and radar equipment (“Vostok”, “Rosa-RB”, “Groza” jamming complex, “Naves” complex for jamming radio navigation and GPS systems). in service with the Armed Forces of Belarus.

New models of unmanned aerial vehicles “Berkut-1”, “Berkut-2” (adopted for service), “Grif-100” (delivery scheduled for 2016) have appeared. The Adunok robotic weapons system has also been brought to production readiness. Tests of the new Polonaise long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) that took place in June 2015 in China confirmed the broad capabilities of this high-precision weapon.

Wheeled tractors were created and put into production at the Minsk Plant universal remedies weapon mobility MZKT-600200, MZKT-500200 Zastava. Specialists of OJSC MZKT quickly developed and prepared for production the lightly armored combat vehicle "Lis", and began designing the domestic lightly armored vehicle V-1.

The implementation of programs to extend the service life of existing weapons continues. The repair and modernization of Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft, the modernization of the BM-21 Grad MLRS to the level of the BM-21-M Belgrade have been mastered and are being carried out. As a result, the activities of defense enterprises contributed to the adoption of about 900 units of the latest, modernized and repaired weapons and military and special equipment into service in the Armed Forces of Belarus.

But, as in the case of the purchase of Russian weapons, the main limiting factor in the process of rearmament of the Belarusian army at the expense of the potential of its own military-industrial complex is the more than modest economic capabilities of the country. According to the President of the Republic of Belarus A. Lukashenko, it would be possible to find the necessary financial resources by actively increasing the export of military and dual-use technologies. Some independent analysts do not agree with him, who believe that the problem of military modernization cannot be solved without modernizing the country as a whole.

And yet, as he believes big number experts, despite the problems described above, The armed forces of the Republic of Belarus are still one of the most combat-ready in the post-Soviet space. According to Alexander Khramchikhin, deputy director of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis, in the foreseeable future the Belarusian Armed Forces can be considered “quite successful and adequate to the geopolitical situation.”