Belarus will deter any possible aggressor with long-range and powerful rockets, as well as develop attack drone, the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus said. In addition, it is planned that the export of Belarusian weapons in 2018 will exceed $ 1 billion. But the head of state is demanding the figure to reach $ 2 billion this year already.
Military-technical independence?
According to a report about the meeting of President of Belarus Lukashenka with the head of the military-industrial sector Raman Halouchanka, our country plans to develop military rocket technology, unmanned aerial systems of various types, and military robotics.
In particular, Belarus has already developed control and communications systems, navigation systems, target loads for UAVs, which will not only conduct reconnaissance and monitor the enemy, but also deliver rocket attacks on the enemy. Some samples of this technology were showcased in October.
Robotic fire complexes “Berserk” and “Bogomol”, automated remotely controlled ground fire systems “Adunok” have been created and modernized.
Robotic anti-tank complex “Bogomol”. Military video.
Due to the fact that after the collapse of the USSR, there have been left no enterprises for the production of military small arms and ammunition in Belarus. In this field, our country is very dependent on Russia. However, the situation will gradually change.
“The President has set this task for a reason. Small arms are morally aging just like everything else … The President has set a task and it will be carried out, ”said Raman Halouchanka.
For the time being, only service and civilian weapons are assembled in Belarus, which differ in characteristics from military ones, and mostly from imported components. In addition, a plant for the production of cartridges is being built in the Vitsebsk region not far from Vorsha.
For good money in good hands
At the same time, the “main task” is the break-even operation of enterprises, and positive financial results. Export is very helpful here, as Belarus supports military-technical cooperation with more than 60 countries of the world.
“For the 10 months’ period, we are approaching the export volume of $ 1 billion. If everything goes according to a planned procedure, by the end of the year the level of $ 1 billion will be exceeded,” said Halouchanka.
The new “Polonez” units were received by the Azerbaijan army in September 2018. Video: Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan
In particular, we can recall the delivery of the Polonez salvo-fire systems to Azerbaijan — the most powerful and long-range (if we exlude aviation) weapons of the Belarusian army. And the head of the Goskomvoenprom cited the example of the export of Belarusian electronic warfare technology.
“There are states that are very dependent on Belarusian weapons … The value for money factor is in favor of Belarusian products,” the official said.
Thus, the Belarusian military industry not only provides jobs, trains highly experienced specialists, supports the Belarusian labor culture and creates expensive high-tech products, but also makes a profit.
We are not afraid of competition with Moscow
Russia remains the main military-technical partner of Belarus, but Moscow is trying to dictate conditions to Minsk and at one time wanted to seize the best enterprises of the Belarusian military-industrial complex.
Moscow was already trying to acquire the most important Minsk wheel tractor plant in 2012–13, and tried to twist the arms of Belarusians with an unofficial ban on the purchase of MZKT products. The eastern neighbor even threatened to begin using the chassis manufactured by KamAZ and UralAZ. However, the blackmail did not work.
MZKT is still a supplier of heavy wheeled chassis for the Russian army. It is on various modifications of the MZKT chassis that Russian Iskander operational tactical complexes, “Bal” and “Bastion” coastal missile systems, “Club-M” container missile systems, S-400 and S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems, and missile systems of strategic purpose “Topol-M” and “Yars” are based.
“Indeed, Russia’ KamAZ conducts independent development of a chassis that can compete with MZKT products … We don’t see any tragedy in this … We continue and will compete with Russian equipment,” noted the chairman of the Belarusian military industry department.
At the same time, he didn’t rule out a “less positive scenario”, due to which the MZKT is seeking new customers, to develop not only the chassis, but also full-fledged samples of military equipment on these chassis.
Thus, the Volat V-1 armored car became the debut of the MZKT in the field of armored vehicles for infantry. The company may also develop the first Belarusian armored personnel carrier.
Alyaksandr Helahayeu, belsat.eu
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the opinion of the editorial staff.
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