RUSSIA’S BELARUSIAN ARMY THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF BELARUS AND RUSSIA’S MILITARY INTEGRATION

Andrzej Wilk WARSAW MARCH 2021

RUSSIA’S BELARUSIAN ARMY THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF BELARUS AND RUSSIA’S MILITARY INTEGRATION

Andrzej Wilk © Copyright by Centre for Eastern Studies

CONTENT EDITOR Wojciech Konończuk

EDITOR Tomasz Strzelczyk

CO-OPERATION Katarzyna Kazimierska, Szymon Sztyk

TRANSLATION Jim Todd

GRAPHIC DESIGN PARA-BUCH

DTP IMAGINI

PHOTOGRAPH ON COVER Natalia Volkova / Shutterstock.com

Centre for Eastern Studies ul. Koszykowa 6a, 00-564 Warsaw, Poland tel.: (+48) 22 525 80 00, [email protected] www.osw.waw.pl

ISBN 978-83-65827-75-3 Contents

MAIN POINTS | 5

INTRODUCTION | 9

I. BELARUS’S POTENTIAL IN THE CONTEXT OF MILITARY INTEGRATION WITH RUSSIA | 11

II. THE REGIONAL GROUP OF FORCES | 16

III. THE REGIONAL AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM | 23

IV. SCHOOLING BELARUSIAN ARMY PERSONNEL IN RUSSIA | 29

V. RUSSIAN-BELARUSIAN TRAINING ACTIVITY | 31 1. Exercises at the operational and strategic level | 32 2. Tactical-level exercises | 34

VI. ARMS SUPPLIES FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF BELARUS | 38 1. Air defence systems | 41 2. CISR systems | 42 3. Aircraft | 43 4. Armoured weapons | 45

VII. COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ARMS INDUSTRIES OF BELARUS AND RUSSIA | 48

CONCLUSIONS AND PROSPECTS | 52

APPENDIX | 56 • • • • MAIN POINTS MAIN

We The two with Moscow During Belarus Republic industry in implemented reignty trains to the tive their the to time financial fully lower gous aspect according and spent capabilities order. doing defence dent out defence own Russia, which be ‘National should Russian process stability operational armed Alyaksandr Russian it dependent Moscow recreated western on than he with Military of is the 2010s, is in needs. countries’ potential in it defence, and of

support, has the so the one to this participates.

the

consider military and that Belarus support forces is that official of defence structures. a systemic element at eased relationship of would to strategic sum

area. Moreover, expenditure from

Belarus’s completely its

of on needs the Lukashenka it adapt compared at and

Belarus and own now Russia, military its expended and the or data matters few least The military scratch. the and result which eastern if sovereignty arms of the At the appears expense burden direction. the crisis

In the countries they system broadly for ensuring

in they the

and between handed lost military integration constitutes in Russian to the 2019 industry is shows has are Armed on in operational neighbour US$1.1 cannot the short at seen the on security content are of the internal isolated the been and understood undertakings

national Over

in the collapse government the over remnants the now the potential Federation armed as term, the tactical billion Forces 2020,

function are initiative systematically state a guarantee a third is greatest two with the its field. little world for from security unilateral and unable cutting security’ forces, of about armed past on countries, budget of military level the

military of of more strategic the of

cooperation efficiently where

internal (RF) the for in which

disproportion.

Belarus mere its 25 years, the to

US$550 the off and it which Belarusian forces many Russian than of chapter independent and meet in as operates total

Minsk’s ceding cooperation, field defence

appearance defending good Belarus nature. the integration level, while security. ensured bilateral to would years. million or the expenditures to

Belarus’s of most with the Federation of relations develop Russia. his its

defence on state’s cooperation at armaments spending

the The aim previously standards Belarus army Loyalty then advanced the country’s the the the a year the projects defence budget: of and of analo­ Presi same basic In so

basis with

legal have sove­ over only rela

and the its in in of to is is is ­ ­ ­

5 OSW REPORT 3/2021 6 OSW REPORT 3/2021 • • • •

The Belarusian which westward Moscow Moscow Because From However, Belarusian In the RF, involvement. industry naissance, ritory to ties tries. tory the potentially plicant prioritised having armed an integral advanced an armed sian sation of of support of dent equipping de facto

secure models its but same are Armed for element the Russia’s military field of of do forces forces

only to be becoming towards military sees

Russian-Belarusian has

its of Kremlin’s prices Belarus. not assume Russia the operational developed the treated communication and in expand enterprises

part of Forces, Belarus operations to gained the are of level, transfer participate

include the instrumentalisation Belarusian military potential the operational army

and of the Russia, country is activity. included the process increasingly as

extent The potential the still in point it Belarus regional the as the by part plays burden group, is the the and Russian part in cooperation, in not the opportunity changing will same offering of as Armed determined directly In return, of event the ground of the in

expansion only and Russians. exploiting view,

an area securitisation, of the

as can take technical security military the of broader cooperation standard

symbolic. the well security

of electronic Russian maintaining a supporting Forces, no of Russian the place it

in component into a conflict Russian of

as where those it its longer the supporting most from

Its military by situation. Belarus’s sense. adequate expects integration of the modernisation, a specialised as own as space, and Armed Moscow.

Republic While Russian command Belarusian a function Belarusian that important its warfare Minsk between and arsenal. be in with These military the own role of support and considering of considered its formally cover military Forces. It should

and Belarusian its

equipment the the formations to to of armed has purely formations the units, the system Any

air structure them; freely Belarus securing elements of and West. Armed army’s military resources progressed in and army

defence, Moscow’s armaments potential an ally use formations security, maintaining be and combat its the as deploy so and Armed considered is and full of Forces acts onto main n indepen­ an they the activities of of in provided formations interests

of all have and

potential. its the Belarus’s Belarus’s the as

capabili military securiti is without the its to the or should Forces. task of recon indus a sup clear; could arms terri been such field own part Rus

and the ter as of at is is ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

• • •

‘threat’ (A2/AD) (hereinafter The Regional The Belarusian Moscow Regional Belarus joint nised itary maintained nently ment – in rial this to the the place. poration have System. are and sian sian operational equipping conflict, ering conflict countries entirely of cises

conduct this operation. command extremely operational resources means the army army. been protection with

aviation units, that During in

regard has is has (2014–15). Belarusian In both zone to

the can Group

the of capacious, in

relates written Russian Belarusian the reconnaissance Integration the that allowed

ceded range. whose at the the WMD) Belarusian crosshairs monitor Group The Land a period over

of and limited, has is RF’s a level Regional

NATO army of

(army) western Belarusian cases, of the an unequivocal to questions

basically On the off

infrastructure

technical Forces the units; the responsibility as Russia Air periods of Western

as

units that works as all of

part planes the however, Baltic Forces within Group’s

Forces of Force level, was Armed

Group lost (from threat, NATO in other to

Russian Belarusians’ allows to of of

with Armed

ceased a situation modernisation of related the demonstrated in closely states

Military

establish in Ukraine the is and is the

and

threat the rear. the Forces hand, of aviation the the the this Russian a component S-300 missile acknowledgment

Joint on

them for Regional actual Forces, air Special Russian

event to and Forces Russian to banner airspace level with the - The Russian

and equipping the defence exist, District during the will Strategic -called a so where Russian part to territory Ministry over control of creation is wartime, the material

i.e. the participate Operations

into de facto de perspective) has by

Air under falling regular and army of of the

systems of Russian the the of systems the

been Polish Defence the the partners

Command

the and the the over ‘hot’ combined

has modernisation of of Belarusian above-mentioned which of Anti

use that become

steadily. supply Baltic the WMD armed

pushed

Russian armoured the Belarus Regional supplying Defence. the territory.

Forces both periodically phase and of army was agreement Access/Area in System – strategic Unified

the are Belarusian right

states the has of fall conflict. ‘West’. part an essential is Belarusian to forces

of Armed gradual at formations its as are definition

exercised event Even Air been within the

to

and the every As a result, the part part of are Electronic delegated direction, activities use of

margins, Defence adopted the

in Donbas of

Belaru mecha

consid perma taking Forces Denial of which

of of areas: bases incor

mate their exer level both

Rus

mil any the the ele

by of of ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

7 OSW REPORT 3/2021 8 OSW REPORT 3/2021 • • •

Warfare The degree The Belarusian The possible Russian is ing in tories – the transferring than the project’s pean for history, between be a demonstration additional and individual as some significant sidering such of or of or

primarily

recent so) its the units Belarus treated the existence infrastructure Russian a defensive resources

theatre arms of than training armaments

estimated the military deployed those that System main Russian years

groups the bringing mainly military businesses to Military future value a result WMD of the of

which aim contracts cooperation items

presence in significantly

hostilities. armaments a unified in

operation Russian of presence and the

of in

enables at of deployment is troops as industry the

importance. Moscow’s units

Russian -Industrial

for the 15% of Belarusian

to world. supplies Ukrainian declaration a mainly Kaliningrad

favourable prepare weapons

of were adjacent of army group from to the

on

Russian in with industry the exceeds of Belarus combat NATO’s the rapid subsequently produce determination

from

is of Russia, other value which

Complex. the military In preparation Russia enterprises preparing

and a Russian regions Republic conditions aircraft.

oblast relocation infrastructure of Belarus aviation. the mainly would

regions of military eastern is

cooperation unfinished

both

is Russian needs probably airfields of largely In 2015 – and military to take of

It should

taken operates reached the countries’ of were to flank,

conduct equipment. Belarus of and being Belarus

Russia for

defend much defence Russian

the essential the

over have suddenly elements, deployment with to an attack base after a possible established, Belarusian be most in the receive to an offensive less

has will by political Minsk. been cooperation

assumed in Belarusian the orders. Federation. cooperative highest

Belarusian saturated Belarus time brought to not Central severed, components

on modernised at its permanent in The exist be

(12 hours Air least the Whereas will survival, that for level Belarus should of rather about firms Force West, Euro with with

Con that

two and and ties any fac the in ­ ­ ­ ­

West 474 After Armed Although After failure The 2 was interestedinmakingany substantial changes tothemilitary, which would was 1 In the Belarusian INTRODUCTION rus – ing’ republic cooperationwhich Moscowthe demandsregardingmilitary pushed,becoming took the those ture the the point participants have Security banner air adopted a member of station) – decided of Created Established

the th stan

formations Republic three CIS

that

already Independent as power in required the of strategic the nearly period

Commonwealth and Forces a way

attempts the did

to view a model, of part Treaty on collapse initially

Baltic ‘Vileyka’ Ukraine have liquidate

Military case the 10 February 1995 not (August 1991 – as to theJoint CIS a signatory of in

three of of from of of a body substantial

elements transform of

European Belarus

this been

affect states), reducing of

Organisation

the most the did were

typical the the

Radio­‑ of the 43 of the not decades pact District; Soviet

CIS, the

the maintained the rd

Russian USSR former Belarus’s made so-called join. Naval were country’s of of CIS project and Technical to (facilities) after

Soviet of saw the Soviet

Air Defence System (1995),andthenof

spending. Independent the organising

on army the July 1994), the 7 October 2002 Armed to of

established these cost 14 February 1992. maintaining republics. (CSTO) Federation the Communications Soviet

save

its agreement former ‘second Union, after approach Union

which independence by of constitutional Unit existence, included the Forces,

which

maintaining In subsequent Russia, less army of its

no which Soviet the disintegrating strategic respectively. (a ballistic

it States Two the in own had

than major to had seemed a relatively As well to May 1992 newly which

into

CIS which a significant developing ­‑far reaching such create participates Belarus republics military inherited. two (February 1992),

until (2002). crisis Centre

echelon’. political as the their established were missile facilities of

the years. years, continues the on

United doubtful Baltic Alyaksandr

Soviet in is armed potential uniform 2 the intended (with

and United its still

autumn 1993 The Armed force At that part Minsk early in plans states,

basis own remaining army. the Armed

the forces,

the the Belarusian to utility of in 1 warning Georgia, military

Armed

theCollective for

by armed ‘Hantsavichy’ CIS’s control

of supported under time, to the

only exception Lukashenka the Most

‘nationalis the the

attack especially Forces Forces from land

Moscow military country Turkmeni­ Belarus former in former

United Forces which forces.

of radar them. struc state Bela and

the the the all of of of ­ ­ ­

9 OSW REPORT 3/2021 10 OSW REPORT 3/2021 The author The individual The military Regional Air nomic relatively many in the the thus types to tures the tions. tary the two tive perceived projects from flank, between are at sian question defence completely of one

the whose the energy),

Community, supply two training to Operational of states’ integration government. setting

the of occasions. of Meanwhile,

basis has present first the relationship

countries’ industries

troops (including of them Belarus perspective history through independent not most of

post-Soviet to and of will different

of the Defence of

integration Russian

what

yet

these, the the whose and Belarusian aspects

important Reaction Minsk with context As a result, and describe there and been the development the practical periodic of extent the services between thereafter System

the within both armaments rules of importance prism Russia:

process of has heritage Collective of have comprehensively

for the Forces, Russian of

the

Russia,

Minsk this

countries. army security demonstratively

than rifts, an opinion analysing Belarus aspects beyond (RADS). of functioning been which Moscow above

the of the phenomenon the

of and the personnel

and those has Federation. to military regardless Rapid has

numerous overall Regional Union their problems Belarus, CSTO’s strictly the structures of and Particular their become it the

and never

has this which remains mechanisms Reaction cooperation, Russia, and State developed. relations remaining uninterrupted gained

integration Minsk: military in process,

military emphasised Group and been of should militarily The key for

tensions development Russia, apply

of importance in the the which the the

favour Belarus Forces, the undermined it between state structure). of and only issues cooperation states be to has elements Moreover,

objectives for joint and

first (especially seems Forces dependent should considered the

that its to of not integrating the area and cooperation then

should on

have training part

try of their political the independence

Belarus fallen so-called to

Russia, NATO’s (RGF) the of of Since 1994, be to by Belarus’s two of the of been be

between mutual cooperation integration: answer in be on

considered joint

the this this

subject primarily countries, victim activities, matter the attached and remains Moscow. and has various created. eastern Belaru within Collec report study, struc field mili rela

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that conscription ‘Какова OF MILITARY INTEGRATION WITH RUSSIA WITH INTEGRATION MILITARY OF troops. (mainly знать’ на правилам?’ forces a total serving South changes (Su-24 bombers

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by of Belarus they of the 42.TUT.BY, years

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imposed 1992–2019, this reports by amount the of 10,000 Russian was sale in

countries -

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in interest value soldiers underfunding, Belarus’s types serve призыв

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11 OSW REPORT 3/2021 12 OSW REPORT 3/2021 where Belarus isoneof the tury. protection At that time, representatives of The Collective This The local The agreement Treaty 15 October 2009 Belarus Belarusian include nent try, the 103 tary they Reaction ForcesReaction CSTO’sthe Operational Collectivein Belarus’s participation force), a counterbalance and side sought of ence cow by thepresidentsof emergency Since 2017, Institute, in 2019 ther). the ‘National

the Military expenses and the the spending decision assistance are of

of Data

Belarusian respectively) rd to

Organisation,

operating the Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia andTajikistan).

Lukashenka’s Ministry 30 from www.sipri.org.

engages Air CSTO) in of sanction the regime from a state contingent

for defence CSTO, situations, expenditure the value Assault was thefew countriesintheworld (andtheonly oneintheregion) SIPRI equipping Operational on refused establishing might legal the to of has 00 soldiers 2000 used for army. within to also delegated defence of its Military exports intimidate

and

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This framework activity make a possible readiness 80 from BelarusandUzbekistan(the latternow out theseven CSTO countries(which currently the million the Minsk’s CORF of constitute only the by

national

army organised came public its special Forces of than it Database in the a third a third military on in 2017,

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the pre­‑election that

total million of and of chapter International 14 June 2009 of to in military

Collective

the rumours turn the in 2018 to

separating the join of drug expenditures the of military against under modernise member on

security Interior

in Russia, CIS rapid

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13 OSW REPORT 3/2021 14 OSW REPORT 3/2021 (even (in political, 7 The impulse The development The foundations within with Moscow 2003–4, Programme for Programme industries reduction those the the issues of tary true trict – postponed for fully from both given and army. ation sovereignty duce of ering development of The agreement

its the портал Russia. on agreements cooperation Republic the turning space. the countries’ finalised further 26 January the 2000s) military with components the if up One was Union the

and changes that establishment Договор Союзного which any

periods and of framework Russia to manifestation the In subsequent economic were integration cooperationandmilitary developed andadopted as in to were

point. changes of both the just 2000), State concept attempts

capabilities to (the implementation modernise – this reorganisation о создании 2016–2020 country’s the

leaders under Belarus embarked to establish signed which государства, period for has of meant of countries. until was focusing face progressed, The Union’s of

Belarus’s

the the

evolved, to the and to Belarus of for the of should to have the of Союзного 2015 after 2020) – establish the and

culmination Belarusian future the keeping intensified –

of the

the military and – comprehensively years, RGF, Union its

www.soyuz.by. on which which

primarily Belarusian this Union the taken and Regional

stronger military Belarusian from of and ultimately comprehensive a it assumptions a community State, and государства integration as Russian

significant further began the 2020 up was of terms), the Russia has place State; the army a process most signed of

military with remains unquestioned on initially Belarusian

Group potential ally the been respectively). Armed former’s to have Federation, documents adapting these be Armed on that of , 7 (1996), (1999)

systematically

as the which which most (as was

8 December of modernise include aimed all cited self­‑limitation formally of cooperation

the been

of limited changes Forces. both covered and

the began Forces. as attempts in:

important should the Forces reform in side Russian to then Информационно part at RADS limited priority still the armies a common

in regulating the 1999 Belarusian but creating In the to assumed – completed the a union However, in not unanimous its of visible adopted be the needs (and force of also mid to (2009).

with side the its own

only to

considered projects was were has maintain above­‑mentioned its ­‑ which State Armaments State nineties, (1997) military the giving Russian a uniform has Minsk of defence Russia. in own armed been

and ­‑ the the Military аналитический ceding in 2011

the laid Belarus came the but armaments of documents designated opinion under armies Belarus has plan detailing up army creation given Russian to relative not into in 1998 cooper army), forces It was as policy intro some them been which (cov mili­

force and Dis has the yet and in of of to ­ ­ ­ ­

8 Minsk hasacceptedRussia’s perceptionof in the to ment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus to 2030 Belarus of Republic the Forces Armed of the of ment

vehicles, The The The military ment include the tinued tasks the tary tion the threats prevention late mander-in-Chief’s Decision on the defence of Belarus of defence the on Decision mander-in-Chief’s public of Belarus to 2030 to 2030 Belarus of public spending drawal obsolete cal developed current capabilities of defence of the country the of defence and Development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus to 2030 Belarus of Republic the Forcesof Armed the of Development and its neighbour. December 2019. 19 December ‘Лукашенко Plan for the Defence of Belarus of Defence the for Plan modernisation. Belarusian issue information the Concept for the Build-up and Development of the Armed Forces of the Re the Forcesof Armed the of Development and Build-up the for Concept Plan for the Defence of Belarus of Defence the for Plan Plan for the Defence of Belarus of Defence the for Plan as integration in also a starting modernisation from and Belarus composition functioning times equipment). materials radar of to

2019, through forecasts

утвердил

of strategic 1.5% of GDP. during service

itsown. It shouldbeassumed thatthesedocuments of aggression, The continuation www.belta.by. Armed stations 8 in of

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Belarus the Funding новый wartime. the of of and . deterrence, has These Forces These Russian of

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an internal strategic and state war. electronic goals will documents will

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(this

including this consists will

times the which deterrence, and the and

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and

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post-Soviet

Minsk that and

morally чем understood revealed and retrofitting been with by aviation of system.

internal systems. they to сделаны (see

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and are acts акценты?’

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Белта, its be

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15 OSW REPORT 3/2021 16 OSW REPORT 3/2021 Western The history 9 which 10 Moscow, II. THE REGIONAL GROUP OF FORCESGROUPREGIONALOF II. THE ised ing pate part. land by both grouping above see Appendix). ented conclude cial

Armed The establishment Territorial Defence Territorial Forces; Russia internal important the put perspective ble a mobilisation sidered over ‑ чении Affairs Alyaksandr ‘Министр Соглашение политическое the Operations in in The RGF component countries for it) Defence under all Belarusian the the at the preparation

Military of региональной the and taking that as consisted least Forces. Belarusian an attempt the spring security RGF обороны of

a result, the which to liquidation между Russian now in was

of

Ministry), обозрение, the part Lukashenka The changes formally agreed Forces) control

as full the the facility – and of District At the of 2012), Western established RGF, Беларуси a whole) Российской of could

Federation, of the command last integration formation безопасности it of of Armed

Russian

the by the did that

13 October 2011, of i.e. the the of withdraw the of Belarusian same decade, from of the serve

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and in Territorial it documents the www.mid.ru. and Forces Федерацией well Lukashenka

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command regime оптимизации Mobile strategic of governors in back Forces structure with (for the

in become strategic manpower , operational 19 December 1997, the formations towards (TD) part Forces. of from December 1997. more public to Forces under

the army the face to Forces the been with the of

Беларусь interest in 2002 at maintain the the (in coordination a of TD

ministries Вооруженных Russian on the exercises – of the de facto de end

incorporated with and becoming the an agreement (delegated its for Belarusian

(as of 2007, future played the the forces.

of RGF. end of Belarusian о совместном Russian the perform

should Ministry to Russia, the real RGF’s

the 1990s.

of 2011 Armed sovereignty banner 9 After integrate Belarusian

the Union Initially, western-ori From responsi threat allow Сил’ another to potential, be Armed role of it counter being into the 10 tasks , with partici

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of competence rules independence formation units of and established that

by

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the and

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successive countries. the see marginal. armed the undertakings.

Belarusian under of in joint of liquidation the operational the the above,

annual Appendix).

the Russian command way, in in law RGF

General

it army. on TD, the the exercises, forces Barysau –

structure Russian in

of has enforcement Russian President its during operational command programmes The Belarusian

in do their the Kaliningrad plans November 2011 the military

basis proved ones So the army of not now Staff level joint deliberations in While

The group’s far, the formal command preparation for peacetime take this army of more (for are were effectively

officers

actually

has

Land Lukashenka

land importance joint the impossible structures the

commands – allowing equivalent this structure agencies a list oblast), equality integrating from command. been on Russian General

forces’ exercises Forces side, into for during which also performs Belarus of current on the and lost: end

the the account),

the during

with without and

to during strategic command, within whether of exercise Staff continues very Federation conduct to

the later), armed

at obtain current

The Combat Belarusian President adopted the the this

the local and a lower functioning the

administrative beginning national of peacetime Western Belarusian

the peacetime, questioning structure commands

the Russia contenting

operational does conflict command. authorities to command proper of

training the to by RGF, thereforms which

status build has Belarusian land of

demonstrate units the not competences last

Training Belarus have in purely not as (even equipment operations

(as indicated is defence components should up Hrodna want than attribute for manifested of (basic integrated itself invariably the over striven

functions relatively and during a light

brigade­ reasons the theo­ Armed formal that use to Direc

tacti be joint with min Rus and and for his

of of of of to at ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

17 OSW REPORT 3/2021 18 OSW REPORT 3/2021 Armed The This 13 12 11 It should Joint Logistics Support Logistics Joint nition the the that tivities intheWMD),troops andservices themintothecommandstructure isbringing with through theirdirectintegration under tection) be attaching and and sources systems, sovereignty cation, of company of civilian of

the a military Russian силами considered женных 28 March 2018. ‘Генерал Соглашение Соглашение в силу www.publication.pravo.gov.ru. Беларусь Беларусь of Foreign RGF’s territory Ukraine, services. RGF agreement on joint logistics support (in Russian: rear­ (in Russian: support logistics joint on agreement RGF at incorporation Russian the of

present (especially radio­‑electronic Forces and fuel

14 июля

and was this be Transneft).

­‑ Российской joint other banner Сил майор о совместном

взаимном о Affairs troops over infrastructure concluded transport между между operation about (most

of term the

Российской as Armed of logistics, a relatively 2020 года)

elements Андрей Belarus. of his

the

the of first exercises) and the

Правительством Правительством could which Федерации recently) primarily

country’s the 13

fundamental обмене Russian тыловом Russian Forces.

Бурдыко: and the of ,

(the main

from warfare as Федерации whose RGF. only

A unified of its cited later)

on precise material distribution

Federation, геопространственной the 11 and обеспечении the kind Республики и topogeodesic the

in: armed be involves Federation «У responsibilities Belarusian and

Официальный (REW), Российской Российской assessed

training the белорусской territory Вооруженных и civilian plan to basis

fuel resources during their Russian counterparts 25 December 2002, integration forces, take has combined региональной network service for technical Беларусь

partner activity during have of effect Федерации Федерации and army been wartime. армии both

the

интернет Belarus информацией necessary

navigation include Сил Russian the has of developed that (in 2004); the от for the надёжный reconnaissance, is and of

www.mid.ru. successive

Республики группировки октября 25 и Правительством и Правительством ­‑ right 12 also the

портал during its organisation the conflict are

This rear the potential side Russian RGF’s

been for important to между

systems правовой тыл»’, integration agreement for (logistic) it

a threat

is года 2019 use operations

between Беларусь types states войск the established (formations of systematically joint вооруженными Во славу Родины славу Во

state­‑owned material use

of информации, movement developed communi Республики Республики ‑end pro ‑end (сил) of to (the defi

logistics that (вступило security , joint

as

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the ac re in ­ ­ ‑ ­ ­ ,

The Unified System of Technical Support Technical of System The Unified The Their 16 15 14 Defence In the Joint Technical Support Technical Joint motive ings, military mainly in 2005, themainroleisplayed by theBelarusianTransport Troops (which are in its military the to tary tem programme have also and signed subordinate butalsothenewlyexisting Belarusianinfrastructure, of draw out of a unified system of technical support for the region’snetwork railwaythe for support technical of system of a unified

the previous the Федерации . Алесин, A. Соглашением Соглашение использовании Кодекс, Белоруссия Республики Naviny.by, provisions joint under agreement on joint technical support in the Regional Group of Forces of Group Regional the in support technical joint on agreement repair takes formations, have emphasised as cooperation upon Unified System of TechnicalSupport Systemof Unified agreement RGF in communication. rail well Ministry units equipment

use www.docs.cntd.ru.

November 2016, into competences the of 14 December

transport)

another gives documents. ‘Россия о совместном for to интересах в Беларусь as

между of existing and in programmes account между the

объектов the the military but this the of Russia on

is materials: может Ministry Правительством

repair years 2016–20 comprehensive on of и Российской document also 2017, the Российской options respect facilities

and

fundamental обеспечения the

техническом the

военной What with разместить Infrastructure www.naviny.online. of joint with infrastructure 14 of

capabilities the territory

civilian of of does they

which regard do ferry is

logistics

regard Defence the Railway инфраструктуры from Федерацией Федерации and new, not Республики not

are

безопасности Беларуси в обеспечении is Union Belarusian crossings, material the the importance of differ the entitled to jointly cover however, to

not support of Belarus Troops agreement expansion projects other , facilities.

the end

2 November

State. Республикой и the only

significantly склады Беларусь the

responsible security deployment региональной

государств of (hereinafter Российской Development and modernisation and Development Republic ministries’ bridges and of is

USTS’s of (not of Significantly, for the 1990s: under

the 15

the военной с 2016, the the of on Russian

Правительством и securing ­‑devised ‘joint’projects), Although only

for railway transfer Russian joint

, and above­‑mentioned RGF. as 16 October

of activities, Белоруссия the Федерации

for cited группировки from the

of on Belarus, transport USTS),

техникой viaducts railways. technical an agreement USTS However,

the

“Belarusian in: armaments the the lines commentators the to those Armed

www.pravo.by. 1998, maintenance

transport basis the и Республики совместном о are established but completed but

and оружием’ и

Российской . as войск for security, adopted The sys Russian support carried cited relates it Forces. which of cross auto does

mili part

(сил) and the in: on of 16 ­ ­ ­ ­ , ,

19 OSW REPORT 3/2021 20 OSW REPORT 3/2021 The UnifiedElectronic Warfare System whose 18 17 Russian Russian EW to the Russian tative the tronic that pation units’ particularly from have lished Special Special by become been been become Outside Of the a special ally sibility of of categories of developing. Article 6

entire the increasing the considering ‘Войска

largest subunits integrated in participated reorganised created scratch). technical of

Regional in Belarusian potential of warfare support the Operations

for Operations part classic the

plans Special

the December 2009 РЭБ: soldiers mention. formations, of

of saturation equipping event Airborne Forces. (In recentyears theRussian the This main tracked

of general истоки Belarusian of in threat

to Agreement By

with their mechanised the

Group formations, modernisation (EW; has the the

Operations deploy

is from in Land along of area the и современность’, EW Russian Forces, the increased Forces.

Kaliningrad Russian their such and joint combat any direction

in end though, of and of

of Belarusian on first Forces units

the

military

Forces Russian wartime, various

Forces”. on conflict, Joint a competition. exercises, Russian Russian of 2012, in supplying

army. We Russian formations the time the vehicles). Forces Armed are Technical terms (three but which in (see

troops can Unified Electronic Warfare System Warfare Electronic Unified basis

oblast 17 types the potential that radio­‑electronic which Во славу Родины славу Во

interest counterparts. EW the this

the only Even further). have as of best Forces, independent model. Support comprise only

the of

subunits troops Belarusian Belarusian

well However, giving & services provision of and to adapted

mutual an agreement if estimate mostly

Belarusian EW

selected

ones are we in 18 as for which Belarus

As a result, of

them the the , the consider units

the 16 December

part in

in the These relations to they is been Regional

battalions scale formations western would the Armed strictly how the began warfare) rapid an unequivocal units, capacities of Belarusian in which

army competition are

Russian deprived the processes the on and that useful Military

Airborne Forces have 2017. be air a unified in 2017, in Forces primarily within

cooperation

combat RGF, strategic world. contains character relates for have Moscow’s fact issues, deployment; of analogous the Grouping. Armed implementing Armed

as this of been do being will

the

is The partici to formations well

individual to admission group hardware,

not direction represen­

from deserves probably type train RGF of periods de facto de formed respon , in Forces Forces

gradu as

estab apply these with elec

had has the the the the are ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

• • (or not) valid The Armed The formal In an rus it military Russian military facilities in Belarus in facilities military Russian facilities hands another and ation despite exercises. of

chose

Minsk’s Antey), vice The ‘Hantsavichy’ The ‘Vileyka’ The centre Russia’s 350 officers munications reconnaissance tegic for listic a started structed sian submarines, communication located made agreement until obtained e facto de since maintaining on hints not Aerospace from 25 years. integration Missile for missile This the energy 1 October 2003. 7 June 2021, and in 1986, Forces on which military to on the strategic

from the Ashuluk the do Russian the agreement was the and legal collapse and of Centre Forces 43 early so. extension Belarus debts, of latter’s right has

foundation Forces) – rd 6 January 1995,

between ensigns, the strategic and launched was

within also Naval Russian infrastructure the 474 purposes, been training warning government after facility and to remains provided electronic Russian suspended of th carries territory: could Independent came The facility a free

the Communication the the of the mainly operating also military which connectivity

in

of the USSR. ground RGF Main since into have Russian which system out

25- Federation December 2001 one an unfinished known free the current warfare year from beyond it in 1992, in tasks and force announced HQ of presence training Armed In return, will it is since had Minsk

available Radio­‑ the radar lease Aerospace manned as RADS – started of the in throughout on be terms

‘Kletsk anyway the lease its most in Centre and the 22 January 1964. Russian 7 June 1996 Forces automatically of just Technical for station – in borders. the Russian Soviet

two fields Moscow for began that then by 2000 operation. two and until Belarus – important the -2’; before interests Force. remained (radio of the post­‑Soviet

Navy. facilities Belarusian it an 70M6 came base the

resumed of the 6 June 2020, Navy in would It is local which Unit and

radio­‑technical cancelled Russian North that It is the Russian station (construction

The 43 going into renewed elements responsible t was It and will of (of the air in mid-1990s. It ensures from staffed deadline – withdraw

Volga has the

in 1996). Atlantic. military military, Russian defence full nuclear beyond remain rd troops. RJH69 Feder Com some been but – Stra Bela

con Rus ser bal for by of ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

21 OSW REPORT 3/2021 22 OSW REPORT 3/2021 The ‘Hantsavichy’ ­ in the from at such Kaliningrad the new

stations, the beginning Russian Voronezh

the oblast). early of radar

‘Lekhtusi’

the family warning station, century, te western (the

in

which system, Leningrad now was plays which direction

still oblast a complementary is of

based

strategic and is

the served on

‘ importance new ­Pioniersky’ by role radars two in

(joint Army According The clearest 22 21 20 without 19 Belarusian Defence Defence III. THE REGIONAL AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM DEFENCE AIR REGIONAL III. THE rusian the tegic taking tegic unit force however, announced, a position and signed of – cised could of

The entire

losing At most, Affairs Ibid Протокол Соглашение и Республикой внешней душном роны региональной Беларусь group previously in assigned solution question at air to peacetime Command

in dependence by . also combat (AADA) most – into Formally, Air the in Российской defence in any March 2012. System, System’ of “the Minsk concerning sovereignty the the Minsk to , пространстве equivalent operate to the

Force о внесении границы Russian Ministry government, account designated aviation the basic it ground Kaliningrad example the is между of Russian

commander one duty of the has also level системы Беларусь

‘West’). of agreed ceding (which signed

(a protocol agreement in Федерации the commander small legal component of only

component during the on

Союзного of been one command Российской the began November 2016). Federation, commanders изменений Foreign an independent Since WMD. to Supreme создании и illustrating nominated oblast, Russia over противовоздушной о совместной regulation. changes of to in operational sovereignty that corresponds Currently, which known

peacetime. the the of Moscow Affairs on и Республики April 2016, (air of of государства a significant which concluded, This

on of Commander 2 November

the the the Федерацией и дополнения is to 1 April 1996), Russian at parties”. of defence

the blocked perform amendments Единой

which operational of the Belarusian the RADS as operates operational operational state the охране the This on commander the the unit strategic agreement over missile 21 20 as Russian is воздушном в Belarusian proposal 3 February 2009, the Беларусь 2016,

of had региональной when of обороны Its foundations problem appointed at This ‘Eastern was command a whole the Республикой и внешней the of part

в Соглашение the Air function. level affairs the formation. regiments) www.mid.ru.

been

the Armed Federation, signing but mainly level Force puts the level formation; level and of Belarusian от Российской Russian to during of границы for to of made

3 февраля on for European completion its is subordinates Forces Armed пространстве the create tactical

additions over formation the the системы (in this smaller of due many the of the armed между 3 February 2009, Беларусь the period a commander inter alia inter

during 6 of structure the 19 the were Aerospace Союзного th to Belarusian formation Unified Belarusian

the a joint 2009 г. Федерации and Forces’ Air than Air years resistance противовоздушной Российской agreement case, RADS Joint Republic forces. to of совместной о

of laid which this создании и of its the and , Force

danger Ministry the

the command

the государства

(aviation the the it creation, and Russian recalls Regional ongoing Air Regional is in Air www.mid.ru.

Forces) Республики и of of functioned agreement, Belarusian Ultimately, side RADS to Force came Joint Федерацией air to the 1990s from Poland,

potential from the Defence of for be the Russia, division). air Единой forces Foreign is охране may among exer Polish Bela Stra 22 stra into в воз fear that was was force Air Air not the who обо

in be ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

23 OSW REPORT 3/2021 24 OSW REPORT 3/2021 ‑ As part The RADS 24 23 were Until Lukashenka’s Russia in nated rusian rational tries the the porting, from functioning limited So bases but as ation a permanent and structures only cided of those in­‑ Including It cannot Baranavichy). reinforcing far – сии – 0 December 10 вылетов’, и России grad level ZN.UA, the chief Belarusian RADS the preceded selected to coordinated

the the ­‑(6 multi role of 132 with by oblast. Air and

formation – командующий aviation of fact NATO’s

nd

apart level

the ­‑a higher level Belarusian 11 October of the end Mixed agreement

have

за be the of Force of ‘Летчики Интерфакс Belarus. the

the that maintenance год

ruled (these

Belarus Central 2013; the units formation – air of 2013 from disagreement political training, the army Aviation ‘hot’ совместного been

Air Russian 24 potential,

and a fully the 2016,

6 base out ‘Российские

by second. th Officially, РФ Su-27 fighters of

the

‑ AADA. Policing men Russian белорусских detachments АВН, period that acts Russian observed. a joint the www.zn.ua. formally и Белоруссии

and Command to 2016

­‑ Division it on fledged discussions exercises – formation the (more ultimately

Russian 12 December

Aerospace as formally боевого the Russia an air 23 of one The host of Belarusian an observer.

operational истребители Belarus’s and this army officers mission was

army Russian territory

Russia’s on launching ВВС’, Based can the дежурства and Point the начали is represented

of 6 and supposed which this th

44 (operational two entered is Интерфакс 2014; actually only air on

Belarusian AADA Forces th air of were not Air in on planes 3 transporters aviation and later). of

the military

Air совместное будут practical of ‘РФ the defence

group the perceive were

the в рамках Defence interested these air

the the

also отозвала Russian Force would RADS te RADS’s (the the service ‑

to defence – Baltic АВН, air перебазированы agreement were

a joint

RADS Republic most and consisting emphasise force Missile delegated forces), equivalent intervention and army.

ПВО aspects боевое 13 March 2014; subunits the exercises nominally Су rotated countries, air

Federation will important in in not - СГ was response in strategic); 27СМ Division first The merger defence совершили дежурство’, using, Babruisk, the

create with and of concerning of activities signed, to of из

are of into the Belarus

на of Belarusian the is the deployed

Беларуси – the the a separate ten ‘Летчики

allow

these against аэродромы an air the and from but

included 6 as sovereignty possibly for functioning Belarusian th but около headquarters leadership officers Интерфакс AADA, its and a whole, commander­

thus it the of are for in (President structures both due

the force activities also Белоруссии

operational 300 боевых the Ukraine, the -27s4 Su Bellingcat’

but the

RADS’s coordi Белорус in army). in Kalinin RADS, siting to coun from coin Bela ­‑ with ope­ sup АВН cre but the air its of of of ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ , ,

A much moreimportantaspectof The modernisation The frequent 27 26 25 Minsk). Union ments noteworthy; ing relocation toBaranavichy inMarch 2014of mines theneutralityBelarusdeclaredinRussian­‑Ukrainian conflict –isthe that used low beyond but October 2020, and aircraft. airspace. a Russian and structure strates sance on airbase The

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of 19 August airfields будет of городской Интерфакс the provision, be a significant of

three дальней

ruled seen also

Belarusian the high Russian that Ukraine. in Союзного the of joint

assumed was alone. after инженерно RADS. опровергает the each) – the ­‑ под

АВН, the

сообщило local by and basic not the aircraft, air the 2015, are freedom out Belarusian the Belarusian

исполнительный protection ­‑ радиолокации

защитой’ АВН,

27 Union a Belarusian maintaining 17 March 2014; first 25 only force; signed Russian military Russian

государства not that belaruspartisan.by. air Since During training temporarily ­‑ that military

аэродромный 24 March 2014. to информацию number theRADS’s operation –which directly under подписании о force being during whose Russian be army, State. , of

see military Независимое its at its renovated

movement army’s its aircraft them of aircraft the Appendix), or передислоцирован of is primary modernisation, used ‘Российский воздушном в airbases 26

joint missions main the permanently of комитет, MiG-

a Russian its Russian in defence ‘air launched

о российских полк or Russian proper постановления for to external air merely The 83 exercises were policing’ task permanently. 29. of

their the военное завершил 21 November goal (Baranavichy, base which

airfields Minsk’s technical its it самолет air needs and ministries’ rd was stationed пространстве’, conducting A Engineer–Aerodrome was planes attack periodic full -50 airborne early warn is regiments. carried border

авиабазах на обозрение, one – (more will to they of the to очередной escorted capacity ДРЛО А аэродром совместной о condition. the against observe official 2019, in in prepare (at least return Babruisk have It is Babruisk; ‘Zapad in Belarus airspace out on use joint Babruisk, www.bobruisk.by. - в Беларуси’ air 50 Babruisk – Интерфакс 28 March 2014, Ukraine. which строительный noteworthy «Барановичи» ‘Строят - not in so начал (due by the position 2013’ reconnais to college the two it the far РФ с

Russian Belarus Regiment, only demon facility central is exercise. of to полеты Зуев, В. later),

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raised

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27 OSW REPORT 3/2021 28 OSW REPORT 3/2021 Urals is to anyway of

of conduct units

little and have (including the importance, an offensive to North be moved a possible Caucasus. as operation there before permanent not starting on only NATO’s from such military the eastern an operation WMD presence flank, but also the they in from Belarus) transfer would the

‑mentioned Whereas After h largest The 34 33 who Most Russian Russia. Russian IV. SCHOOLING BELARUSIAN ARMY PERSONNEL IN RUSSIA IN PERSONNEL IV. SCHOOLINGARMY BELARUSIAN ing most in in rusian not tuating universities, from home logistics). later leges above equipmentwhich itlatersupplies,armaments andmilitary aswell asinschool sub officers, defence’s can de facto de In the

Russia terms ‘Курсантам, www.mil.by; цифры purely in of civil ­‑ the exceeding be units are

serve scratch lead of the closely to the 34 army schooled

personnel around 1100. exclusivity institutions 2020–21 the military counting the

who of universities приема for size is

ground and battalion the military

in specialist effectively combined Belarusian 33 number Russian the

officers with in ‘Не of can

schooling.

обучающимся telecommunications the over academic 50,000 в ВУЗы’

higher силою the vast in education get component. fields) on elite of in the

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Belarus, Airborne

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military year, Ministry the schooling Russian support officer following started formations, Armed

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Federation’s and in Defence Belarus’s

Belarusian years applicants the is potential РФ’ cooperate Belarus

especially systems systems. officers available). most at relatively to 56 which securing the ,

Во славу Родины славу Во number military at Ministry of main in personnel (for of at the case staff home,

Novosibirsk of armed the

of military study in the Republic brigade are

operation, etc.),

in the university). the In the army an officer’s officers universities with just

at is operational systems

constant (officers of this Officers of number Belarusian the compared the the

Belarusian and forces Defence

universities two are students ,

of Russia

remaining structures. 9 February 2016. respect most and highest Special Belarus, during and schooled and specialties: and for was of for regiment of and of Armed career active

as and

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candidates to the in is www.mil.by. over studying stabilised army’s Operations levels, further they part NCOs) Russia. seriously

as military areas Belarusian Forces Republic strategic Russia RGF in-country,

and begins many a decade, to commanders are of command (the latter

Russian cadres ‘Контрольные service

(including

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(including of

education, the cooperate departments in educated at of also for

as 52 limited. at the course Forces’ Russia a level Belarus, above­ army local Bela who fluc

has but the col air 401 in of is ­ ­ ­ ­

29 OSW REPORT 3/2021 30 OSW REPORT 3/2021 Armed 35 NATO. number increased to ties, place n 450 and officer

over европейском ‘Равков: блики in Russian to along the after This Forces. schools 900 personnel).

end

of Беларусь n 2018–19. in военное by with

Russia’s of 2016, Belarusian officer increase over 50%:

регионе’ in participants

сотрудничество начался schools. 1273 Belarusian Belarus attack 35 ,

is Белта, However, army from 284

The number новый also It is on

have October 24 in officers

related noteworthy учебный Ukraine с Россией – military special

in been each at present the 2011–12

2018, personnel to schooled год’

educated year and courses важный the , is www.belta.by; CTB, that the

estimated more modernisation 2 December completed элемент academic in the deterioration and at

the officers significant at 1500. Russian schooling сдерживания ‘В the Russian 2016, Вооруженных full year and w w w . c t v . b y . five of military of to 383 (a rise Federation

increase ­‑ the

students year relations угроз Belarusian training Силах in 2016–17, from 600 в Восточно­ universi From 1998 in from Респу with took cycle the ­ ­

V. RUSSIAN As of 2006, The Armed Forces of 38 37 36 with Russia Forces Russian Belarusian­‑Russian joint not ing processandtheplansfor ments ised in rus the training) for let level, lateral ground an exclusively sporadically purchasedair­‑to­‑ surplus theUkrainian military air missilesfrom showed on out concern organise of According The ‘Nieman 2001’

emergency both тий’, ‘Минобороны cises part ing exercise. alone its the needs does apply to at the 37 command­‑ staff ground own the of

of formations in basis. by ТАСС, as all Russian countries exercises that side.

the the not limited conduct the the basic account this preparation to of full levels, to in aerial

exercises operational

27 October 2020. Belarusian bilateral cooperation relocation, have training the it Joint regard). Moreover, mode; July 2011 – extent. bilateral - России training did Armed BELARUSIAN TRAINING ACTIVITY TRAINING BELARUSIAN information element use from should (since 2010, for conducted operations adequate and exercises up not exercises theRepublic of

at army of Белоруссии и and half exercises: process, to for the be the

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within considered in at which

provided training­‑ ground higher­‑level of battalion/squadron ground tactical place the moment stocks around

troops the (as part strategic these exercises aredeveloped takingintoaccount the by Belarus’s on under the operational the these within during sub­‑units was projects the its

by means проводят

total ammunition. the Belarusian of component the to and own. the Belarusalmostexclusively independently RGF half activities it

and last probably the precision of the Ministry level exercises. attempt currently number and these,

RGF (and exercises operational framework

to 38 and carried the supply ежегодно strategic. level

strategic of exercises Apart conduct exercises only) and

cases, RADS, of army the are the constitute just of to Defence ammunition has These relatively RADS out of The assumptions has carried

of from level. Belarusian organise the firing свыше of

a political primarily the been troops, the Every i.e. in a full preparations

by are no sub­‑units air of It should have CIS’s types out programmes the the the other independent совместных 120 programme successful held. about defence just independently. agreement training ‘Combat Republic this year, Special been and defence (until 2013, of be army exercises one alternative demonstration – However,

type 120 annually). noted restrictions are at

several independent organised Community 2001’ system, of of and of the Operations exclusively Belarus, procedure, of ministries associated that

are

is many the with

мероприя training venture tactical combat carried on the dozen organ it while train than Bela train main a bi had exer the ele on do 36 ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

31 OSW REPORT 3/2021 32 OSW REPORT 3/2021 Year Within (nearly 20%of (initially As part 39 40 1. Exercises at the operational and strategic level strategic and operational the at 1. Exercises rusian nates noteworthy. tre territory. the the project were begun) from held level, had Shield’, and sian casus country’s of on of of ­‑confidence building official overlaps completion exercises The idea 2009, In

Belarusian the the 46,000 подготовку Minsk’s lege of Belarusian first adopted then units in 2009, by both

ensuring between and gravity of Russian personnel involvement the carried year, claim of defence in 2017. in decade within The training at in 2011, and borders

the are sides even its part. overall of both

the Since 2009, к стратегическому that scenario Armed 2013 these

of training the cooperation thetotal)in 2017; at by ministries Armed the out Armed that strategic the participate

This a high armies. the of the then Moscow training­‑ ground 2015 the and 2017; military for for

territory Forces undertakings 39 Arctic); this of the military has CSTO’s measures andtheRussian Federation (exercises codenamed‘Union rise army the the their Forces activity and 2019). Forces’ activity employed of level

they century, units of Belarus level, risen ‘Zapad applies first and with the in cooperation in should this учению exercises

Collective of of have training have the - Republic delegated WMD autumn 2020, time 2021’ formally

has of from under and readiness. Minsk Belarus 40 the was not effort thisshouldbeconsidereda significant

full­‑time

due exercises the have These been phase Russia been «Запад exercise significantly only in 2006 Armed potential nearly only almost of Belarusian the to (to Central activities

that, held Operational been Belarus (exercises organised between on moving are - of be to the 2021»’, was OSCE, to 27 October 2020.

the in on

permanent as used every Forces 00 soldiers 5000 held the according out gaining preparations position approved the a command numbered Интерфакс Belarusian has summer within ‘Zapad’, expanded further of no troops Belarus in in armed two Asia, as codenamed

participated of the more operations Reaction September during part momentum

the the years, 48,000 ­‑ question their to cooperation training ‘Белоруссия the АВН, remains and but forces) and of territory), than & staff Minsk Russian the for a joint since 2011. n 2009 in

27 October 2020. Far

the also and soldiers, further framework Russia, Force), the agreements ‘Zapad’ 12,500 soldiers on meeting East, in as RGF, period, at the

to to at under­ government (despite ‘Zapad-2021’ и Россия them. part Federation Belarusian the the a constant over oe 10% (over compared with main and from are the the the Units of [West], ‘Union end taking, which of the 9000 alter most most joint ведут Bela­ area

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cen the the the on col of of to ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

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‑АВН, Belarus the the соединяются ‘Старт The nature defence 1 grounds, RADS,

been

st (the previous training. publicised management and

Tank Next between on representatives ‘Union last activities

On each conducting exercises, 17 March 2015.

дан!’ find a command directly of selected reports first was although 42 came ‘Zapad’ was Armed

of Army , operation, both then Во always constituting themselves к стратегической

Shield’ the Since from a joint славу the included occasion, available so-called being the project, in countries’ finally involved from units institutions assembly exercises Russian defence Forces

which Родины, operations began the the the cannot & staff

Belarusian­‑Russian of carried however, relate the

the RGF start of Russian the on

in strategic the the an additional

were Belarusian

the 14 September the in Russian ­‑ personnelwereequipped military senttoRussia. WMD, тренировке component’s manoeuvres the military to Belarusian

Belarusian be

of in 2017,

has exercise group ministry of the the indicates exercises of out

WMD carried seen Belarusian ‘Stability 2008’

the delegated

training air not the 6 whose command in th

Armed of force second as AADA’s integration Russian

which so органов Russia that and 2019, soldiers carried

out NATO of such; territory formations held logistical far with and participation it

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trained Forces decade военного were held at in Belarus exercises & staff March 2015, waiting Federation. a counterstrike. countries Russian Russian are out airborne task the the exercises regularly. is and before on challenge. transferred officially

in & the evidenced

held began same ‘Zapad’ of управления

a strictly was

Russian training parallel within a group

for Airborne this control and in (codenamed forces, played they ‘Белорусские back

to General time In this participating the the held are

perform century, exercises, part As part the

even only territory by defensive by Belarusian with arrival России’, to of the (‘Autumn 2008’ and in and the

wider Russian Forces – undertaking – the the NATO of partial

the Staff first begin), the

role военные

then the command a counter the of ‘Ladoga’); Northern relatively Интерфакс­ of Russian Russian

context in central as

‘Union enemy in

forces.

of strate of opera­ RADS allied nature. train from

exer com part

Rus

and the the при 41 ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

33 OSW REPORT 3/2021 34 OSW REPORT 3/2021 t the At Along withthedevelopment of Transneft), These warfare 45 44 43 Major­‑General Forces Belarusian Russian Defence RADS 2. Tactical in reconnaissance, the the the that the permanent bolic). only, cipation component defence of exercises tookplaceinbothRussia andBelarusonthedeployment anddefence cises exercises of

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‑ pipelines both Федерации’ ‘Совместное ‘В ально liningrad ing ДИФЕНС, training basic preparations Republic RGF, the Минске in and

the the 43 took that and tactical -

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countries), subunits System as технического) It is exercises of activities first Belarusian operational­‑scale ‘Ladoga 2009’ in of

oblast. 17 August 2018.

the have territory.

part place relocation Belarusian RGF’s the theunitedEWsystem carriedoutinMay thatyear, inwhich some and and прошло - , August 2018 transmitting time,

of level exercises level noteworthy Ministry специальное Russian Airborne Igor

Belarus –

level, of project the on transfer The been and the for on joint carried

of

of the первое setting Golub, infrastructure elements exercise, airfields

as an unprecedented 45 of the

Air обеспечения

units this the taking in joint Defence rear training aviation well entitled and ‘Zapad’ учение Forces the they совместное that as out fuel so-called scale

the of Space exercises up during in responsible exercises commander as Western

Russian of to place participating tasks

were the August 2017. to combinedsupport andsecuringsystems within commander rail the силами с the of

of in Forces of which took exercises. ‘Regional вооружённых the which the

Republic

the exercises

these

Russian crossings учение since 2017 aircraft ground on treated standby Belarusian

operation crews, for place Military Russian planes of the Russian средствами и scale for joint of

electronic of Единой the to Security 2018’. Particular and Belarus, territory therein

of As part was air as

the component Belarusian in transport were

сил in 2017, forces for Air

also the endeavours Belarusian District part are Federation the defence area

planes RADS. in Республики

Force moved региональной Russian takes 21 August 2017,

Air of the 1980s), preparation are of тылового, of warfare, within (with of

was officially airfields a command attention

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the are and Belarus missile used of

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bases deployed Беларусь the supply and it latter технического is by increasingly системы communications, www.mil.by. defence’s were should regular a participation forming Russian as

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to ground exercises. part nature (матери­ began. of to the exer of note ТАСС­ sym

and Air

the the air dur on the by Ka of of of of ­ ­ ­ ­

The first The joint within 49 48 47 46 Forces referred rusian multilateral missile mer trainingperiodsrespectively. the the participation under per format fied been Operational also also and a larger also sian since 2009. exercises of exchange of opposed The Belarusian Serbia

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the exercise (combined ‘Совместное местном www.sdrvdv.ru; Operations gion named annual year; norm –

September participated use (the Belarusian become sub­‑units tactical

military (airborne) the & the the units, for brigades Russian gave the ‘Cooperation’, to to exercises additionally, field (most

учении’ of recent united codename the ‘Combat those as arms), Forces mainly up was Since Russian undertakings Reaction

exercises increasingly

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in integration ‘Российские (in the large

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assault Ministry systems activities Telemba the by 2016 of organised the training joint Community’ time белорусских

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and these Forces the of between in middle

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in of exercises

brigades). Central in ‘Slavic in 2020. a bilateral vice Russian­‑Belarusian the десантники of

organised important. Defence the these by the the in Buryatia mixed

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on Joint of the

Belarusian exercises nomenclatures (air

for 46

in pressure десантников’ the took the brigades took the any Federation, в Республику Russian the became

Subunits Collective Russia Special Federation the contingent formations defence), Air as independent They banner participation they sub­‑units Belarusian tactical of purely place have place part two­‑time the

from Defence Russian are: soldiers

of are operational were 19 April 2013, territory Operational are Operations Strugi participation been sub­‑unit , sporadically. of Alabino the in of

of bilateral Союз Беларусь the exercises

characterised

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Special had Krasnye System standards (in 2015 Russian held of training. the Десантников

in unique winter Belarusian CSTO

exist. Reaction both was the Serbian для Belarusian www.mil.ru. (near also trains exercises – in like continuously in 2017) Union. Forces – in of Moscow участия Operations (as part bilateral a Since 2014, limited

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by troops terms России, Special CORF army region have Bela sum type в сов­ uni code has the as of to re ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

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armoured славу slightly ( DShB structure 38 show DSh lighter Republic participating the of not th form forces’ ‘Gvardiysk’ 7 D .

в и th Родины, the on ; the On they brigades’ subordination use part

these tasks), used DShD in Division Each that landing Forces of in the This Арктике of in the Belarusian formations, Astrakhan of

equipment,

(the so will of units personnel cooperation. Russia: of the the of other by use of

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19 September during the operational Russian

second the Belarusian

the and subunits Belarus of the Special number be cooperate sub­‑ units in near hand, - плечом host

called

the Russian Russian fighting thelatestBMD-4M infantry distributed also the Belarusian Ashuluk wartime Land to option oblast, Russian the from (in both the unit country’s mountain carriers. focused Air ‘Caucasus 2020’

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to Russian Belarus brigade DSh the Special consid trains favour 106 Repub BMP persis at cover B CORF th and ) out the the Air

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due Forces is

of to also within

their communication related serve supported

specific the to with framework additional

nature, them). by and the

fact command air (apart of

defence the that from currently officers proce units mis ­ ­ 37 OSW REPORT 3/2021 38 OSW REPORT 3/2021 VI. ARMS SUPPLIES FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF BELARUS OF FORCES ARMED THE FOR SUPPLIES VI. ARMS Without (US$242 Although The Armed 56 55 54 53 which later),airdefence systems (US$393 million),rockets andguidedmissiles Most Forces, military in 1998 into force in February 2011), thesearedelivered toBelarusatthesamestandard its the the technical their parts from for fare ber 2009, agreement as and on of during

The Belarusian Data

weapons hadbeensporadic).The largest for itemswere themilitary aircraft ‑ the ском, Соглашение Договор войско: Российской Беларусь ration, weapons ber 2009, supplies технического the 96.5% modernisation contract helicopters (including of Ukraine, supplies for Russian from 2 April 2017, periods

development to its these million) 2 November 2016, its equipment the of чего support Russia of

assuming the между www.mid.ru. о совместном SIPRI position is Forces

cooperation equipment the and Федерации to между post­‑Soviet достиг transactions

supplemented

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is www.russian.rt.com. Российской military and weapons

increasing of of of 2019, of not Правительством военный US$43 million, Transfers

in from

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equipment infrastructure. US$524 Russia equipment took

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military total России place supplier the

­‑technical supply multi­‑role million, Российской also amounts from Беларусь обеспечении of external , and of www.sipri.org. agreement and million).

Alesin is value them, Belarus after 2011 which и Белоруссии Foreign Belarus to Russia on Республикой и dominant. China, equipment during a large 55 of of , its US$260

estimates Ministry of

and to Федерации purchases at 98%. equipment weapons Affairs cooperation is combat own.

are 56 региональной Belarusian US$1.3 billion, would still total (previously, at mentioned wartime extent fully

за of the million А. Заквасин, the concerning of Pursuant Since

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still less the the which Armed Force 2018 to 142 141 of particularly to in margins industry Belarusian the 1

their arms the opera directly from feature Forces poten 2019 after 331 331 land sup and ­

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39 OSW REPORT 3/2021 40 OSW REPORT 3/2021 The approach 57 It is it rus’s the how as assumed country

‑role (the combat (about The main was For Belarus’s 558 rus; manufacturer the 2010s the tions) the tasks – these to parts). hauling been currently annual or ered. craft, an argument ‘ВВС ‘Бывшие

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produc Новости, Deutsche part for for Wheel recent plants. which of worth subse finan

devel from hold Yars

was and the are the the без­ of in of 76 ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

49 OSW REPORT 3/2021 50 OSW REPORT 3/2021 ‑electronics While (Buklet (ESSA 79 Another Technologies 83 82 81 80 with Russian French remains themain,andoftenonly recipientof incurred it rus, isation rials, tion istargeted directly attheRussian market (in 2019, over 30% to together fact for of gramme among are delivered toeachotherwithoutcustomsrestrictions, quantitative amounts also allow assemblies or craft. For

to the licenses ‘Госкомвоенпром: ‘КРЭТ ‘Белорусский ‘Белорусский ничества’, ’ в о с к е л п м о ­к website, РФ Российской panies, affairs.ru strictly third­‑ country that whose produce Russia 81 semi­‑ finished и Белоруссии’, the more

cooperation Russian for In June 2015, theREBTechnology consortiumwas established,bringing of Thales others, for развивает weapons. significant Belarusian see a group

www.vpk.gov.by. country by radio­‑electronic the on . theUnionStatecodenamed‘Osnova’ [English‘foundation, basis’]); military

(on the the territory op. cit. and industry З. Кокошина, is this , for the Федерацией

Concern 42.TUT.BY, T «Интеграл» concern), «Пеленг» largely it BMP defence -90S and details ; сотрудничество the Беларусь provides Russian Государственный Интерфакс of The vast to markets, basis with other purposes. supplier is -3)

products, civilian exports Belarusian and mainly act enterprises

7 July 2015, (in Russian a condition to ‘Вопросы Республикой и for industry начал examples as Belarusian of it и Россия начал PLISA the Federation. ­‑ on‑board organised combat

АВН, a legal majority the armaments and market, hosts of Most поставлять Russian в области выпуск elements/subassemblies,

Integral, www.42.tut.by.

cooperation военного arms

21 March 2013. of

заинтересованы it for военно entities (as of 2013 (primarily cooperation often re‑exporter KRET) plants complexes. arms for the enterprises of Беларусь’ equipment some микросхем and the РЭБ’, ­‑ army. промышленный

t should It survival, the и военно T functions and прицелы which enterprises within -80U) production producing which military КРЭТ, even between Belarusian agreement 79 it , military due Международная жизнь Международная

в развитии 82 The items has and

produces ­‑ для 24 December 2015. технического and primarily. has are the for Belarusianproductsintended для and be to as Belarusian done equipment предприятий supplier involved infantry Russian­‑made

the primarily российских a means unfinished Russian remembered комитет in and only equipment, arms военно the of so lower training components of supply

20 May 1994). Another under secondarily Republic and

сотрудничества

cooperation of Республики industry’s ­‑ of with Radio­‑Electronic fighting технического

include Russian радиоэлектроники post­‑Soviet costs), been

противотанковых repaying 8/2019, 83 elements, of and a special ), orthrough cooperation the

that combat tank issue of of defence

for www.inter support)

for vehicles modern services Беларусь

Belarus produc benefit does Russia (mate sights сотруд radio­ is между loans Bela sub­ and pro the com air it 80 – ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

85 84 Despite merely related ment) nents to plex and standards. estimated concerning

More African ‘Объем Transfers Russia’s versions and is information subcontractors to its not ВТС

subassemblies the it and broad Database the

России at significant. defence of transfer

Asian repair US$1 billion

equipment scope, on , www.sipri.org. с Белоруссией this markets. and industries subject by of the The main for

servicing Moscow Russian financial

in 2019 continue, can the 84 превысил be production (in terms found, entities,

Russian to of (starting value

Minsk post­‑Soviet the 1 миллиард among Belarusian of of arms forced of others,

the of in 2001).

the armaments

долларов’, increasingly cooperation exporter, equipment, in mutual to the enterprises adapt 85 catalogues

If the ТАСС, supplies and Rosoboroneksport, to

between technically mainly 13 May 2019. their current military on will the of technical provided SIPRI

become Belarus

compo trends equip com Arms ­ ­ ­

51 OSW REPORT 3/2021 52 OSW REPORT 3/2021 ‑Soviet After 86 was USSR, Forces Federation ­However, reform it nium, reintegration. ing the the tematically to technical tia, presidential field been gic Of itself, CONCLUSIONS AND PROSPECTS AND CONCLUSIONS army a simple strictly state cially cise of enough The exercises now.

its current (and Belarusian Russian a reaction the directions, were the electoral system seen schedule. of unable present budget is independence, ‘transfer’ noticeable however, and by of military

of potentials The former symbolic. security. material today reason: systematically

as extension Armed modernisation.

Minsk the it its to policy, it had ceded of society. a guarantee would elections to the fraud, in armed of 86 would form.

in Russian power a completely That professionalising

Forces’ the The military guarantee protests Moscow the this remained heritage, the is since The events or the Any his of 103 and Grodno not unable ties could to financial

forces: rd battalion army be way, the summer country’s for Air Belarus gestures should in Federation, which the the be impossible severed of which Russian has Assault many oblast, Integration August 2020 apart thus have

was true this a truly creation good President either training shaping of different only demonstration that done he resources this never not which Brigade stability, defence guaranteeing by remained to years. happened from be relations by its referred, and have brigade) to the seen say period). a great Soviet treated or Russia to of personnel, were a system keep

really from with was Belarusian the structure

army to as reintegrate that Loyalty the taken show potential part to and particularly were Lukashenka’s build Vitebsk and army. traditions on also deal if by up the as Union would do the of against began

of the planned his place a priority the introducing that himself

with of

his financial so. Russian strength to able of a modern process

to and than

Since joint Armed government’s sovereignty armies,

and Belarusian Moscow the State, Alyaksandr work have Lukashenka publicised any to in the the to suggestion in continuing border it the sovereignty

Belarus build commands advance

the ease army the inherited. post­‑Soviet had changes from against public to support, of does Forces which Armed army;

new with break relative in merging turn in the information to sovereign a that requires (they the side, mid in military over Lukashenka Poland since protests fit elements NATO has of burden the these fact has ­‑ of

in with there at August 2020, point Forces were into in

The Russian to the

due the stability least the the army and ultimately process the and been Russia the actions represent war adapting was part the matters its Russian army of Lithuania are against to Armed millen on rigged of strate in to unify against army.

with view espe exer of post­ iner only

were sys not the the the the for and the of of is ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

As a result, Armed The Belarusian The integration 87 while – which Russian RGF, Forces andtheSpecialOperationsForces (the latterisnota formation identical Belarus, ration in thewestern strategic it more symbolic. Whileformally remainingan ally of is ing influenced tioned training the to the that Strategic both a poor as a one­‑sided process. Its goal potentialof istoadjustthemilitary a result sation strategic such served of The ‘Slavic in Belarustothestandardsandoperationalneedsof evolving special cises, participation Belarusian within correct existed fact while duration a comparison in with of counterpart above. Forces – since which

it troops and reality and

despite only level operations, Command allowed forces the the by towards we Brotherhood 2020’ proportions the in were the equipment the 1990s of serves the In terms and Soviet

(as one Belarusian Belarusian side and should strategic Russian command brings army’s main of carried the in Kremlin’s for planning –

should the of is the a specialised the ‘West’. as times. differences and

relatively partnered the bombers). role – consider of out operational back should of potential a subsidiary direction. The Belarusian Belarusian army Western between depends

the in

its Russian Air exercises, be Military over training two Due concern associations that purely considered westward at Force was in phases: the independent the to every by structure is, fact between or the is on Airborne and the

played needs RGF District the and military Armed is combat incoherent. the about even of in the especially various a component be changes level

September operational them. and technical fronts). extension as degree with regarded of by Russian the in the unjustified. was Forces

of Forces) the functions the integration Russian operations the the

types operation. the development currently Russian and Russian a complex RADS The modern of ‘Indestructible The degree army isbound field modernisation, Belarusian of

in with understanding, as (military) their

have theRussian of theRussian of

October the units. a gradual

are is the of troops The Soviet

Armed army at the of exercised taking been cooperation

exercises The Belarusian support becoming RADS.

the entity, 87 Belarus (including of Brotherhood 2020’ Russian of

Belarusian Military level and delegated

and operational the

Forces, place, incorporation, the Armed Forces, to closecoope­ Armed Forces In both theRepublic maintaining and priority army services; situation by formations, the in and the but sub­‑units’ more army with terms the however, securiti occasional District as USSR’s Russia rather group to cases,

army Land men Joint and and exer has the the ob as of in ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

53 OSW REPORT 3/2021 54 OSW REPORT 3/2021 WMD The possible 88 In the Forces thelandandaircomponents)onitsterritory. (both groups The potential Belarusian needs is including in much munications the the tion, to tion unnecessary. begins, be been been allows structure stration of still onthemargins sub­‑units of of or operation or even deploying directionassigned districtforces inthestrategic themilitary deployed intheadjoiningoblastsof cally cipation The permanent

still it. Belarus extremely the irreversible. treated case for

basic burden with ceased and Considering designated given an attack faster but of of current Belarusian for the forces a defensive of

is

the the adequate criterion allows also on periodic the of as

would problem now troops Moscow’s to of to

than and deployment Russian NATO’s easternflank, in the a declaration Russian limited However, deployment

would the from political exist, supporting the presence It should systematically

operation, for broadly for Special be transferring Armed eastern that is air

participation of cover beyond of liquidation. to of the and modernisation be determination command, have thetechnicalmodernisationprogramme effectively

army. defence’s which

of

the secure that no situation, the direction. Russian deployed rapid

if Operations the understood Forces’ be of and

NATO military Russian of the of division

This part the a Russian assumed armoured

is both its

securitisation the troops relocation troops Belarusian falling.

were useful Urals ground in should own allows remaining of Russia to transfer countries’ their exercises

theRussian Federation: thatcouldbedone significance, army the the of in to activities,

the Forces support between and operational that aggressor Belarus

military Belarusian from the defend and us Belarusian component, not, possible permanentmilitary area has is and the Armed to Belarusian Moscow and preparing mechanised which units would the full for be with

assume political formations, of and Northern deployment military its however, deployment base

perceived operations it, point because freedom if

territory. have is military Russian Forces. group the are without army has maintained in electronic that Alliance military will, army

to of in districts Belarus made Caucasus. formations the conduct in

before

as which view permanent the of Nevertheless, as units; in aviation as The existing

the of from was into having

well level advantages action either Belarus main well

the Russian the of should western warfare, within the

at two in now as

not an offensive of 88 further first the as a level

task a situation to in has to

deliberate which operation this presence parts, a demon

only only coopera to of appears selected current Belarus, assume mainly Armed Russia, prepare practi

of there direc infra units parti­ in com that fate

the the are on the ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

western the term the two have of of

the most redeployment

WMD. states’ observed, ‘Belarusian Belarusian of (from

There the integration the Republic the army’ will part of Russian coming

some be of

in will of

the no

the formations

perspective) Belarus’s years at place RGF

economic most and may for refer armed and RADS the see strategic

and to the Belarusian the forces. dependent

another political degradation comprehensive direction. However, combined­‑ arms

Military dimensions. on of the ANDRZEJ WILK ANDRZEJ

at others progress modernisation District that

Instead which point army in of

the the the we

of of

55 OSW REPORT 3/2021 56 OSW REPORT 3/2021 The potential of theThe potential of Russian (offensive APPENDIX Forces strategic direction mechanised brigade mechanised division division combined armscorps combined armsarmy air anddefence armoured army armoured brigade airborne /airassault armoured division army in Europe units Tactical units and offensive units (combined arms and artillery) Tactical unitsandoffensive units(combinedarmsandartillery) of theLandand Airborne Forces /SpecialOperationsForcesof and Treaty – weapons, Armed ForcesArmed of Belarus of Republic the of CFE) Operational relationships in - accordance Belarusian grouping western the in Belarusian 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Armed ForcesArmed Western Military Military Federation of the District of the Russian of the Russian with 2/1 the 2 0 3 3 1 1 1 1 Conventional Kaliningrad Kaliningrad Russian forces in the in forces oblast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

Armed Total 2 8 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 (independent andas division) (as part of the (independent andas helicopter base / helicopter regiment land forces aviation part of part of rocket artillery rocket brigade mechanised regiment regiment brigade brigade brigade of brigade /airbase air regiment aviation division brigade artillery airborne /airassault armoured regiment airborne /airassault thedivision) thedivision) Tactical groups and offensive units of the Aerospace ForceTactical andoffensive groups / unitsof Air Force

marines Armed ForcesArmed of Belarus of Republic the of 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 Armed ForcesArmed Western Military Military Federation of the District of the Russian of the Russian 10 0 0 8 3 3 6 6 1 1 1 5 Kaliningrad Kaliningrad Russian forces in the in forces oblast 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Total 10 11 2 2 8 6 9 5 1 1 1 7 57 OSW REPORT 3/2021 58 OSW REPORT 3/2021 * This vehicles units, 100 mm andabove vehicles tanks combat helicopters combat planes of artillery armoured fighting or list or line does combat -time objects)* full landunits, approximate numberof caseof (in the units calibre not Number of units of basic categories of offensive weapons basiccategories of unitsof Number of flying remaining include apparatuses. weapons in Armed ForcesArmed of Belarus of Republic the of storage in storage, of specialised 662 280 658 40 7 single Armed ForcesArmed Western Military Military Federation of the District of the Russian of the Russian equipment items in 1132 2954 1390 the 121 295 (non stock ­‑ combat Kaliningrad Kaliningrad Russian forces in the in forces oblast of military type) 194 446 135

12 56 based schools on Total and 4062 2242 1547 combat 140 391 test

T Armed Forces integrated with the structure of the Russian Armed Armed of Russian Forces the Armed integrated structure the with Forces’ District Western Military actical associations and independent units of the Belarusian independent and associations of Belarusian units the actical Airborne Brigade Air 1146 147 115 15 1 120 103 Missile Regiment Missile Regiment Missile Regiment Missile Regiment Missile Regiment Missile Regiment Missile Brigade 825 5 38 st th th Anti- th Spetsnaz Brigade th th rd th Anti- Assault Brigade th ‘Gvardiysk’ th Anti- Anti- Anti- ‘Gvardiysk’ Anti- Anti- Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Unit

Rocket Forces of the RocketAir Defence Forces of Special OperationsForces Astravyets (Minsk region) (Minsk region) Vitebsk Mariyna Horka Polatsk Babruisk Brest Fanipal Hrodna Baranavichy Brest Location

4 Tor‑M2 launcherseach 4 battalions, 12 S-300PS launcherseach 12 S-300PS launcherseach 12 S-300PS launcherseach 1 battalion (3 batteries) 8 S-300PMU1 launcherseach 8 S-300PMU1 launcherseach with 12 Tor‑M2 launchers 5 battalions, 2 batteries, 2 battalions, 2 battalions, 2 battalions, Comments onweapons donated by Russia

59 OSW REPORT 3/2021 60 OSW REPORT 3/2021 49 48 16 16 15 8 86 56 Reconnaissance Centre Communication Regiment 244 of the th th th th th th th th Radio Brigade Engineering Independent EWBattalion Independent EWRegiment Independent EWBattalion th Radio Brigade Engineering Independent EWBattalion Independent Communication Brigade Radio-Electronic Air Force Unit Air Force Reconnaissance andElectronicWarfare troops Communications troops Radio-technical troops (Minsk region) Valerianava Minsk Baranavichy Kalodzishchy Brest Location Comments onweapons donated by Russia