Belarus strengthens air defense with upgraded Tor-M2E missile systems from Russia.

On November 21, 2024, the Belarussian Ministry of Defense Belarus announced that the country received another battery of Tor-M2E surface-to-air missile systems from Russia. The systems, delivered by rail, were modified by Russian designers based on operational experience, following lessons learned during recent military operations against Ukraine, including adjustments for countering small-sized aircraft. The new battery will be deployed to provide air defense coverage for Minsk and is expected to assume combat duty shortly.
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These new Tor-M2E systems were modified by Russian designers based on operational experience, following lessons learned during recent military operations against Ukraine, including adjustments for countering small-sized aircraft. (Picture source: Belarus MoD)

Major General Andrei Lukyanovich, Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, highlighted that the systems have been adapted to counter small-sized aircraft and other threats based on their operational use. Colonel Andrei Severinchik, Chief of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops Directorate, noted that the systems feature short reaction times, high mobility, and the capability to target a wide range of aerial threats. He described the delivery as an example of military-technical cooperation between Belarus and Russia to strengthen the unified regional air defense system.

This delivery is part of broader defense cooperation between the two countries, which includes joint training and exercises. Russian forces have also trained Belarusian personnel in the use of the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system, which is reportedly capable of carrying tactical nuclear payloads. Belarus has emphasized its alignment with Russia in regional security matters, including its role in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Belarus has been acquiring Tor systems since 2010, with the most recent deliveries expanding its inventory to 21 Tor-M2E units as of 2023. These systems are equipped with 16 9M338K missiles, which feature increased accuracy, a wider engagement range, and reduced size and weight compared to earlier versions. The missiles are designed to operate in environments with electronic countermeasures and to defend against massed aerial attacks.

The Tor-M2E systems are integrated into Belarus’s air defense network, which also includes S-400 and Buk medium- to long-range systems, as well as older Osa and Strela platforms for short-range and point defense. The Air Force and Air Defense Forces, consisting of approximately 10,700 personnel, operate under a structure designed to coordinate with Russian forces. Belarus and Russia follow a joint defense strategy formalized in the Military Doctrine of the Union State, revised in 2021.

The Tor-M2E system is designed to provide short-range air defense for critical installations. It is capable of engaging up to 16 targets simultaneously from any direction, including objects traveling at speeds of up to 730 meters per second. The system operates effectively at ranges of up to 12 kilometers and altitudes of up to 10 kilometers, under any weather conditions and at any time of day. Key features include high mobility, short reaction times, and automated combat functionality.

The systems are expected to enhance Belarus’s air defense capabilities, particularly for the protection of the capital, Minsk. They contribute to the country’s broader defense objectives, which include adapting to modern threats and maintaining territorial security. Belarus’s defense industry focuses on manufacturing vehicles, guided weapons, and electronic warfare systems but relies on Russian technology for advanced air defense systems such as the Tor-M2E.