Breaking news
Belarus to consider buying S-400 and Iskander missile systems 50502163.
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Defence & Security News - Belarus
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| Belarus to consider buying S-400 and Iskander missile systems | |||
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The Republic of Belarus will consider importing the advanced S-400 (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) surface-to-air missile and Iskander (SS-26 Stone) tactical ballistic missile systems from Russia in 2020 at the earliest, Igor Lotenkov, Belarusian deputy defense minister for armament, told journalists.
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"As for the S-400 Triumph SAM system and Iskander missile system, their acquisition will be pondered after 2020. By the time, there may emerge more effective weapons systems featuring improved characteristics," the SB. Belarus Today daily quoted the deputy defense minister as saying.
According to Lotenkov, the bulk of the overhaul of the Russia-supplied S-300 (SA-10 Grumble) SAM systems has been completed. "One battalion has been delivered to Belarus and is ready for the operation as part of the 377th SAM Regiment in Polotsk. Another [battalion set of S-300s] has been overhauled and is due any time soon," he said. "Even though the S-300 is not the latest system, it meets our needs in full. The Armed forces can use it for decades in the air defense role." He also said the Belarusian Armed Forces would receive Mil Mi-8MTV-5 (Hip) transport/combat helicopters this year. The deputy defense minister reminded that Belarus and Russia had sealed a deal on 12 aircraft of the type designed to oust the current Mi-8s (Hip), which service life has expired. The country also is expected another batch of Yakovlev Yak-130 (Mitten) combat trainers and the fourth battery of Tor-M2 (SA-15 Gauntlet) SAM system. Lotenkov said Belarus would conduct the final phase of the trials of the indigenous Polonez multiple-launch rocket system with a range of about 200 km. "Based on the outcome of the tests, we are going to add a Polonez MLSR battalion to the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade by September," the deputy defense minister said. |
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