Events
Lukashenko outlines tasks for domestic defense industry
MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – The development and possession of its own weaponry is an imperative for Belarus, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
The meeting discussed final touches to Belarus’ socio-economic development program for 2026-2030. The president underscored that strengthening the nation’s defense capability, a program priority, is of pressing importance. “Our people must understand that we are responding to the complicated situation unfolding around our borders,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “Those who chart the course of our development will recognize that we must respond to the evolving situation, particularly in matters of security.”
The head of state cited Poland as an example, a country that allocates huge funding for its defense: “I do not wish to demonize the Poles, but why are they spending billions upon billions of zlotys on defense? For what purpose? Simply to bury it all? They are not fools, either. They will not just bury this money. Clearly, they have their reasons. And what about us?”
The president noted that, thanks to good relations with Russia, Belarus currently possesses tactical nuclear weapons, and that the Oreshnik missile system will enter combat duty in December. “Today we have good relations with fraternal Russia, a brotherly nation. As for Oreshnik, nuclear arms… we certainly don’t need Burevestnik or Poseidon. After all, the Burevestnik can fly for a full day: launched from Vladivostok, it can strike any target. Why would we need to deploy it to the front? Or take Poseidon, for example. Are we supposed to launch a Poseidon on Lake Naroch?” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.
Nevertheless, the head of state is convinced that when it comes to national defense, one cannot rely solely on weapons such as Oreshnik and tactical nuclear arms.
“Yes, it is true that the Russians have helped, are helping, and will continue to help, given the policy we pursue toward them. But we should be able to wield our own primary weapons,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “Let me reiterate: missiles are a vital asset, but ultimately, wars are fought by soldiers. Therefore, we must focus on designing the weapons that we actually need on the ground. Drones will not be as effective here as they are in the steppe and so on. We have forested areas, and it is not so easy to fight with drones.”
The president clarified that he was referring to weapons such as assault rifles, machine guns, and pistols, as well as military equipment. Furthermore, he noted that the experience of the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates the effectiveness of small, mobile units. “A squad of ten soldiers arrives with the military equipment and, as the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates, these mobile groups can launch a swift attack and immediately withdraw. They quickly depart in the very same vehicle. We have such vehicles. The Chinese and the Russians are offering us some, but we have our own, very good ones – the Volat – we produce our own vehicles,” he emphasized. “In any case, this branch of the military will be tasked with addressing these problems on our own territory [in the event of a military conflict]. We have no intention of fighting in other territories. We do not need to seize Lithuania, Latvia, or Poland. We have enough land of our own, and therefore we are building our own defense.”
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