Events

23 Mar 2014

Lukashenko not against additional Russian aircraft in Belarus

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said he does not mind the deployment of additional 24 Russian aircraft in Belarus, though there is no urgent need for this. "The issue is not urgent, but if the Russians are willing to deploy here another 24 aircraft, I would be pleased," the Belarusian President said when talking to media on 23 March, BelTA learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus is in the process of enhancing its armed forces, modernizing armament and military equipment. "The main thing for us is not planes and helicopters, but special operations forces, the army, which can cause irreparable damage to the enemy. The army that can defend our country, first of all, from airplanes and helicopters, cruise missiles. This means we should have the anti-aircraft system, surveillance and target acquisition systems,” the Belarusian leader said.

In this regard the head of state noted that Belarus’ defense industries complex has designed two modern radar systems, which the Belarusian army is being equipped with.

“We need air defense weapons such as S-300 and others. When Russia said that it could not give us S-300 entirely for free, I said OK, we would buy them. And we do, no matter how difficult it is for us,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President noted that helicopters and aircraft are also needed. According to Alexander Lukashenko, more than a year ago he asked the Russian side to dispatch ten aircraft to Belarus. "It is not because we do not have them. Today, I think, we have 160 aircraft and helicopters. This is a lot for our army. We use, probably, 60. This is sufficient and even a lot for the armed forces we are training today,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“Now ten Russian jets are deployed in Belarus: four since December and six when I demanded that they fulfill their obligations. They are deployed at the alternate aerodrome in Bobruisk. With regard to another 24 jets, we do not need them in principle. But it would be nice if we had more advanced aircraft in stock,” said the head of state.

The President noted that Russian crews are on duty in Belarus "on our assignment, and report to our armed forces". "I want Belarusian and Russian pilots to fly together so that the Belarusians could polish their skills, and preserve traditions,” said the Belarusian leader.

Moreover, the President said that regardless of Russia's support in this matter he instructed the military to modernize ten Belarusian aircraft. "By the end of the year, Su-27 and MiG-29 will be in service. I will show them to you in Baranovichi. This will be sufficient till 2025. We just need to maintain the aircraft in good condition,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

"So there are no big problems. There is no pressure on the part of Russia. To send ten aircraft was my request. And we have them today,” said the Belarusian leader.

Asked how long the Russian planes are going to stay in Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus requested at least half of them for the period before and after the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. "I think after that Belarus and Russia will decide how long these aircraft will be deployed. I think they will be deployed as long as we want them here. If the President takes a decision to have them for a longer period of time and Russia agrees to, then they will stay here as long as necessary. Everything depends on Belarus,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The head of state also noted that in general Belarus and Russia regularly hold joint military exercises, and Belarusian military use the Russian shooting ranges for training.