From words to actions: What are Moscow and Minsk preparing in the defense sphere

March 18 2021 8

On March 5, negotiations were held in Moscow between the Ministers of Defense of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation - Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin and General of the Army Sergei Shoigu; heads of military departments discussed plans for the implementation of the "Strategic Partnership Program of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation for 2021-2025". The result of the negotiations was the decision to form three combat training centers for the organization of joint combat training.

Directly on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, it is planned to create a combat training center for joint training of the air force and air defense forces - in particular, it is planned to jointly train pilots for Russian-made Su-30SM aircraft (they are in service with the Air Force of the Republic of Belarus in the amount of 4 units; 12 more are ordered) , as well as training Belarusian operators for the operation of modern air defense systems in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and the joint implementation of training and combat missions.

These decisions are designed not only to improve the level of training of military specialists of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, but also jointly to strengthen the "Unified Regional Air Defense System of the Union State", which began functioning at the end of 2016.

A combat training center will be created on the territory of the Russian Federation, the task of which will be to train personnel of the Ground Forces: motorized rifle and tank units. It is stated that training will be carried out using advanced techniques in accordance with the combat experience gained by our army in the Syrian campaign - such measures will allow working out the interaction of military units of the Belarusian Armed Forces and units of the RF Armed Forces, thereby significantly increasing their effectiveness. In addition, it is planned to create a training and combat center on the basis of the Baltic Fleet, which is part of the Western Military District: in this case, we are talking about the preparation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus for the operation of the BTR-82A, which will be carried out by units of the Marines of the Russian Federation, which have extensive practice of using given equipment, and diving training of Belarusian special forces.

All of the above measures are quite consistent with the latest statements by the national leaders of both countries - it seems that Russia decided to support the proposal of the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who spoke out against the creation of military bases of the RF Armed Forces on the territory of the republic:

We see what's going on. How insolent ... Just a couple of weeks ago, NATO planes were flying straight to our border. And what were we forced to do? We raised the Su-30 - the plane is new - and flew towards them. Washed away a hundred kilometers away. This suggests that we will be constantly pulled, and we must answer. Give us these planes. But on these planes, as then, the Russians and Belarusians should fly together. And there are enough bases, they do not need to be created, why waste money ... Better to buy or build new aircraft for this ...

And although the statements of A. Lukashenko can be interpreted in extremely two ways, Minsk is still making timid reciprocal steps towards strengthening military and interdepartmental ties with Moscow.

At the moment, however, it is not known whether the latest Russian equipment will be delivered free of charge, within the framework of the CIS Joint Air Defense System (previously, the Russian Federation had already taken such measures and provided weapons to allied countries free of charge: for example, the armed forces of Kazakhstan received five sets of S-300 air defense missile systems), or Minsk acquired it on credit (which, however, is unlikely, given that Belarus had previously withdrawn from service the Su-27 multipurpose fighters under the pretext of the high cost of their maintenance).

Considering among the decisions made the idea of creating a "training and combat center for joint training of the air force and air defense forces", one can make an assumption that Russia and Belarus can form their own analogue of the Baltic Air Policing program - the NATO initiative, the so-called. "Baltic air patrol", in which the countries of the North Atlantic bloc "protect" the airspace of the three Baltic states: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, day and night saving them from the invasion of the "Russian threat".

In the event of such a development of events, one could state a clear "warming" in relations with Minsk - here it is worth noting that earlier President of Belarus A. Lukashenko spoke about the "positive experience" of using Russian military aviation to patrol the airspace of the Republic (more than 60 sorties) - such a precedent took place in 2014, during the Ice Hockey World Championship. Then, based on the experience gained during this event, it was planned to deploy Russian squadrons in Bobruisk - and this initiative (by the way, discussed at the joint Collegium of the military departments of Russia and Belarus) was to become a reality already in 2015. Naturally, nothing of the kind happened - all plans were “shelved”, becoming victims of the political inconsistency of the top leadership of the union state.

However, I would like to hope that this time the plans for the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Program will be implemented, and the recent statements of the Belarusian national leader (“Pay attention to my phrase: we have no friends in the world,” A. Lukashenko said in speech on March 13, 2021) have nothing to do with military cooperation between our countries - be that as it may, Belarus is vital for ensuring the defense capability of the western borders of the Russian Federation: access to the Kaliningrad enclave alone makes partnership even with such a windy politician a strategic necessity , what is the President of the Union Republic.

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steelmaker

-2

18 March 2021 08: 28

a windy politician, which is the President of the Union Republic.

Name not windy politicians? Another Putin fan turned up. Lukashenka has adjusted his entire economy and industry to match Russia. And there is no Russophobia in the country! Can you fans look at things objectively? Or without sycophant already?
1. 123
  
  +3
  
  18 March 2021 10: 52
  
  Name not windy politicians? Another Putin fan turned up.
  
  You answered the question yourself
  
  Lukashenka adjusted his entire economy and industry to match Russia.
  
  First, not all, but most.
  Secondly, I did not "tweak" it, but saved it, it was so.
  Thirdly, he would be happy to change the situation, but it does not work, despite all the efforts. Its products are not needed in the West, like the Baltic and Ukrainian ones.
  
  And there is no Russophobia in the country!
  
  Not yet. In Ukraine, for the Russian word, too, they did not immediately remove the teeth with a broken one.
  
  Can you fans look at things objectively? Or without sycophant already?
  
  Judging by what you wrote, you are a fan of Lukashenka, try to honestly answer these questions ...
  1. steelmaker
    
    -2
    
    18 March 2021 13: 46
    
    Oh, the Cossack was sent.
    
    You answered the question yourself
    
    Is it the curators who give you such instructions? To seem smart and convincing, you need to answer a question with a question or imitate it. And according to the names of politicians to name education is not enough or do not want to be dishonored?
    
    First, not all, but most.
    Secondly, I did not "tweak" it, but saved it, it was like that
    
    And you feel sickening, already twists and turns! Russia, Ukraine and other states have been torn apart, but Lukashenka still does not give in. Medvedev and Putin are trying to persuade him to engage in privatization anyway, but Lukashenka does not want to trade in any homeland!
    
    Not yet. In Ukraine, for the Russian word, too, they did not immediately remove the teeth with a broken one.
    
    So, where there is this Russophobia, we will punish Lukashenka for this, in advance? That is, to Kazakhstan, planes and air defense, for their Russophobia, please, but Lukashenka turns out to want a lot? Armenia in general without Russia would have ceased to exist long ago.
    
    you are a fan of Lukashenka,
    
    I respect Lukashenka. Putin would defend the interests of Russia and the people as Lukashenka. And I despise Putin!
    1. 123
      
      +2
      
      18 March 2021 14: 53
      
      Oh, the Cossack was sent.
      
      Hello salovars How are your trousers? Do you still have free space?
      
      Is it the curators who give you such instructions?
      
      What an immodest question. I don’t ask what voices in my head give you information.
      
      To seem clever and convincing, you need to answer a question or imitate a question.
      
      I do not know, I am not interested in such tricks. Surely there are other tricks, some constantly repeat that they say they lack education And I didn't mimic anyone.
      
      And according to the full name of politicians to name education is not enough or do not want to be dishonored?
      
      Are you talking to yourself?
      
      And you feel sickening, already twists and turns! Russia, Ukraine and other states have been torn apart, but Lukashenka still does not give in.
      
      That is, you think that most of which is "adjusted for Russia" is torn apart? Is there only one that is oriented to the west? Is all trade with Russia disgusting? And all that "there" is wonderful? And you're telling tales about the Cossacks to mine? You have a forelock like a comb to your tailbone
      
      Medvedev and Putin are trying to persuade him to engage in privatization anyway, but Lukashenka does not want to trade in any homeland!
      
      What is the Motherland? He considers everything to be his farm. As for privatization, you would look at the share of the economy controlled by the state, here and in Belarus. The difference is not that great. And what would make you even more fun - the Chinese comrades have 40% of the state economy, everything else is damned private traders and bourgeoisie.
      
      So, where there is this Russophobia, we will punish Lukashenka for this, in advance?
      
      Only degenerates are going to punish someone, talking about neighboring countries. We simply will not credit Lukashenka with the absence of this very Russophobia. The processes there are exactly the same as in Ukraine, they are just slow so far. Catch up if that quickly.
      
      That is, to Kazakhstan, planes and air defense, for their Russophobia, please, but Lukashenka turns out to want a lot?
      
      Kazakhstan pays money for them, the collective farmer wants for free. By the way, prices for both are preferential, much lower than market prices. I certainly do not mind, let him be presented, but only the money should be collected from his fans, like you. Throw on airplanes for an idol
      
      Armenia in general without Russia would have ceased to exist long ago.
      
      For sure like Belarus.
      
      I respect Lukashenka. Putin would defend the interests of Russia and the people as Lukashenka. And I despise Putin!
      
      So what's the problem? The border is not closed. It's just a move to a new place of residence within the union state. Not even emigration.
      And about respect and contempt, this is not surprising. Like is drawn to like.
      By the way, you have a split consciousness. You say you respect Lukashenko for defending the interests of his state and despise Putin for not doing it.
      And at the same time you want Putin to defend the interests of another country (Belarus).
Valentine

+2

18 March 2021 08: 35

Lukashenka is a very slippery and muddy little man, and his "timid counter steps" have been lasting for 30 years, and do not bring us closer, but most likely move us away ... control, as happened with Nezalezhnaya, and America perfectly knows how to make our former friends and brothers our fierce enemies, so we need to be more careful with the supply of the latest weapons in Belarus.
1. wolf46
  
  0
  
  18 March 2021 09: 07
  
  Totally agree.
  For Belarus, the benefits from the creation of training centers are obvious: free access to the latest training methods, free equipment, military secrets from "joint implementation of training and combat missions." At the same time, the Armenian and Belarusian military are participating in NATO exercises (Noble Partner) and with British special forces (Winter Partisan, March 2020). Yes, typical examples of "multi-vector". Everyone knows about the protests in Belarus (August) and the defeat of Armenia in Karabakh (October last year).
  I see no point in deepening military cooperation with the so-called "allies."
2. Dukhskrepny
  
  +1
  
  18 March 2021 16: 27
  
  Better Lukashenko than some Shushkevich instead of him. Rossich also likes to often emphasize that she has no allies and does not need, only the army and the navy are her allies
  
  Quote: Valentine
  Lukashenka is a very slippery and muddy little man, and his "timid counter steps" have been lasting for 30 years, and do not bring us closer, but most likely move us away ... control, as happened with Nezalezhnaya, and America perfectly knows how to make our former friends and brothers our fierce enemies, so we need to be more careful with the supply of the latest weapons in Belarus.
123

+3

18 March 2021 10: 45

Key word in Lukashenka's speech

Give

I remembered about Khoja Nasreddin ... I will not retell literally, of course, I had to find it on the Internet:

The usurer was drowning. People who ran up to him shouted:
- Give me your hand, otherwise you will drown!
But he did nothing. Then Khoja Nasreddin came up, smiled and said:
- What are you doing? Where has it been seen that the usurer gave something? It is necessary so ...
And with these words he held out his hand to the moneylender.
- Hold your hand! - he said and, of course, saved the moneylender.

Lukashenka has not changed, has not drawn conclusions and continues to bend his own. a turning point in the situation is not yet visible. Could SU-30 be a wisely suggested hand?