News & Events in Belarus

Lukashenko highlights importance of modernizing military communications system

BARANOVICHI DISTRICT, 11 September (BelTA) - The development of the communications system in the Armed Forces is a most pressing and fundamental issue in ensuring the country’s military security, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with military personnel at the Obuz-Lesnovsky combined-arms military training ground on 11 September, BelTA has learned.

“Today, the operational exchange of data, the security of channels and the speed of decision-making directly determine strategic advantage on the battlefield, and guarantee the accuracy of combat mission execution and the safety of all personnel,” the head of state said. "In conditions where the entire world is rapidly developing information technologies, reconnaissance means, and electronic warfare and suppression capabilities, falling behind in this area is tantamount to death. That is precisely why we devote, and will continue to devote, great attention to the modernization of the communications system in our Armed Forces and the military organization of the state as a whole.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that one effective tool is operational training, under which the Armed Forces' communications troops are currently conducting a special operational exercise.

Earlier, the defense minister had reported to the president that previously the troops could not even dream of the communications system and equipment they have today. The head of state recalled that several years ago, taking into account the experience of modern conflicts, the military-industrial complex was tasked with equipping the army with the advanced communications equipment. “We will see how this task has been fulfilled. Everything must be honest and objective,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Speaking about the importance of this sector, the president emphasized that no war, whether defensive or offensive, is possible without reliable communications and troop control.

“You know the foreign policy agenda. You see and observe the aggressive rhetoric directed at Belarus. Intelligence activities against Belarus are being conducted quite openly, almost brazenly: we periodically record various kinds of provocations and violations of our airspace,” the head of state said. “But that is not the main point. The main point is that our neighbors today are spending billions of dollars on the military build-up. Brazenly. Not only exercises near the border, but also the creation of new units and armies that are then deployed along Belarus’ border. What is this? For us military people, it is all quite clear. That is why we need, as I once said openly and honestly, to prepare for war in order to avoid it. We must always be ready to respond adequately if something should happen.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled the experience of modern armed conflicts, which shows that troop control plays a vital role. “If we cannot control our troops, we do not need such troops. Where the system withstands strikes, where commanders and leaders at all levels of government and the army, of the Armed Forces, control the battle and the system as a whole… The outcome of the conflict depends on this,” he noted.

The president cited a recent example in the Middle East, in Iran. “They withstood strikes by thousands of missiles and bombs. Billions ($100 billion is the figure cited, though I think it is significantly more) were spent by the United States of America to resolve the issue in its favor. But it achieved no result. The control system demonstrated resilience, to the extent possible, and did not stop working. Control was maintained,” the head of state said.

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveiko reproted that an operational-special exercise of the communications troops of the Armed Forces is running from 7 to 11 September. The purpose of the exercise is to work out options for ensuring sustainable command and control of the state’s military organization using new techniques and methods of organizing communications, based on the experience of modern conflicts.

“Well done for planning this. It is a test not only of the combat units but specifically of the communications systems. Because that is the main thing. Command and control in any conflict, and even in peacetime, must be ensured,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Before the meeting, upon the head of state’s arrival at the training ground, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin reported to Aleksandr Lukashenko that the troop control system had been completely overhauled in recent times. This concerns not just army control, but the entire military organization of the state and the security agencies. The civilian sector will also be covered by reliable communications.

“We once agreed that the army would have not just a new system, but also new communications equipment. So, if there is a war, can we calmly control our troops, from the center down to a unit?” the head of state asked.

Viktor Khrenin assured him that such equipment is in place: “The communications system will ensure resilience, secrecy and reliability. Five years ago we could not even dream of what we have now.”

At the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground, Aleksandr Lukashenko familiarized himself with modern communications equipment and systems in service with the troops, the samples of promising communications equipment produced by enterprises of the State Authority for Military Industry.

The head of state was informed that the Armed Forces possess a full set of necessary communications equipment that makes it possible to control troops in modern conditions. These include various satellite and tropospheric communications stations, radio relay stations, mobile telecommunications complexes, and command-and-staff vehicles. The discussion also covered further plans to equip the troops with communications equipment, taking into account the experience of modern conflicts, both through the supply of new models and the modernization of existing ones.

The president was also shown how a mobile battalion communications complex is used. Aleksandr Lukashenko then visited a command and observation post where he was demonstrated the control of combat formation elements of a battalion from the immediate response forces via communications and automation means.