Exposition strengthens positions

On the arms forum and a new qualitative level of the Belarusian army

We are keeping pace with the times, global best practices and international standards in the field of security. This was clearly visible at MILEX — one of the largest defence exhibitions in Eastern Europe — which was held for the first time at the BelExpo International Exhibition Centre in Minsk on May 21st–24th.

BELTA

Stronger together

In recent years, Belarus has placed emphasis on introducing new technologies into the production of military equipment. This is an important step in bolstering the country’s defence capability. Aleksandr Lukashenko has emphasised that the modernisation of weaponry remains an essential direction in protecting the country. We are doing a lot to strengthen our position in the international arena, actively participating in global security initiatives.
In a changing geopolitical environment, specialists and research programmes are needed that can respond to modern challenges. A positive trend is that the domestic defence industry is increasingly supplying the Belarusian army with weapons and military equipment of its own production.
Joint military-technical co-operation is also actively developing within the framework of the Union State. A large number of Belarusian and Russian enterprises are mutually involved in matters of state defence procurement. Joint scientific developments are underway in this area. The level of collaboration and allied interaction is unprecedented.

Responding effectively to challenges and threats

Following the MILEX-2023 exhibition, more than 70 different models of weapons and equipment were put into service. These include the upgraded Buk-MB2 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, a new armoured personnel carrier, and an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The most significant deliveries to Belarus’ Armed Forces were the Mi-35M attack helicopters, the V-300 Polonez-M missile system, the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system, and the Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Aleksandr Lukashenko defines the main priorities for the reform and modernisation of the army. The active participation of the President in the development of the military industrial complex has a significant impact on the level of security and defence capability of the state. Our Armed Forces are capable of effectively responding to present-day challenges and threats.

Rapid response from Flute

The rocket industry in our country has become firmly associated with the Polonez multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) in recent years. This weapon was first unveiled to the general public at an exhibition in 2015, and it has been continuously improved since then. The development of new types of ammunition for various purposes for this system is ongoing. Its modernisation potential is 20 years.
Polonez systems are also being delivered abroad, and the feedback on them is the highest in comparison with foreign analogues. In 2023, Belarusian gunsmiths refined the rocket and increased its range to 300 kilometres.
The range of missile weapons produced by the domestic military industrial complex is constantly expanding: this includes the Shershen anti-tank missile system, the Sapphire grenade launcher system, and the Uragan-M MLRS, which has been modernised in our republic.
The Flute MLRS, created on the basis of a light armoured vehicle, is of great interest to the army. Thanks to a modern automation system, the deployment time on the ground takes no more than a minute, and preparation for firing takes about 30 seconds.
Another example of the latest MLRS is Shkval, with a calibre of 122 mm. The system is equipped with guides for domestically produced ammunition, an automatic fire control system, satellite navigation equipment and a weather station. The time spent by combat vehicles at the launch position has been reduced, which is critical in combat conditions, when machinery must change position after striking. Belarusian developers have been able to increase the power of the ammunition, as well as double their range — up to 40 kilometres.
Furthermore, we have mastered the repair and modernisation of aviation guided missiles, equipping them with laser and thermal imaging homing heads, in particular the advanced R27 air-to-air missile. Belarusian design engineers have also developed the first small-sized Askalon cruise missile. It is fitted with a turbojet engine that can reach speeds of up to 700 km/h. It has a practical range of 310 kilometres, a flight time of 60 minutes, and is controlled automatically (by co-ordinates).

  

New developments showcased at MILEX 2025 military technical exhibition in Minsk             Yegor Yermalitsky

Considering combat realities

The fighting in Ukraine has shown that, in addition to artillery and aviation, drones play a major role on the battlefield. They can be used for reconnaissance or strikes. Oftentimes, such UAVs are even made in makeshift conditions, and at a low cost, they perform combat missions.
To counter such ‘birds’, various electronic warfare systems are used. Belarusians have developed an effective R-327 Kvetka complex. It can determine the location and direction of radio emission sources and suppress signals from GPS and GLONASS satellites. Kvetka has already been adopted into service and stands guard along the perimeter of our border. In Belarus, the development of the military industrial complex continues, and everything is being done to ensure the country’s security.

GUARDING SOVEREIGNTY 

Our military industrial complex is one of the priority high-tech sectors of the economy, as stressed by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, in his address to the participants and guests of the 12th MILEX-2025 International Exhibition of Armaments and Military Equipment, 
“In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, we are holding this representative forum in honour of our common heroes. The generation of victors bequeathed us to cherish peace and freedom on our native land, won at an unprecedentedly high price. In the name of this goal, we, the allied countries, are increasing our defence potential and strengthening co-operation in the field of security. Developing the domestic military industrial complex as one of the priority high-tech sectors of the economy, we are shaping the image of a state confidently standing guard over the national interests and sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus.”

VHF radio monitoring and radio suppression complex R-936 Aero by KB Radar       Yegor Yermalitsky

THERE IS A LOT TO SHOW

The MILEX exhibition, held every two years in Minsk, serves as a platform for exchanging experience, new technologies, and ideas, and allows demonstrating the achievements of the domestic defence industry, acquainting guests with the latest developments, and exchanging views on global trends in the field of security.

TO THE POINT

With the creation of the State Authority for Military Industry, the powers of the Defence Ministry for licensing the production of military products were transferred to this department, as well as the functions of forming programmes for the development of weapons and military equipment, organising and co-ordinating their implementation. The MILEX exhibition is precisely where the demonstration and analysis of what has been done in recent years takes place.

ARMOUR IS STRONG

Almost immediately after being elected Head of State in 1994, Aleksandr Lukashenko put a halt to the rampancy of disposing of Belarusian armoured vehicles, thanks to which there are more than 1,300 tanks in the arsenals of our army today. During a visit to the Obuz-Lesnovsky Combined Arms Training Range in Brest Region on October 22nd, 2022, the Head of State stated that he saw the need to upgrade tanks. Then the President studied all the weapons models that were presented at the training ground and called for more considerable volumes of equipment modernisation.
Already in 2023, a refined version of the T-72 main battle tank was displayed at the MILEX exhibition in Minsk. The model was designated T-72BM2, and this has been the second upgrade since 2016. The T-72BM2 tank is entering service with the Belarusian army.

By Aleksandr Tikhansky, military political analyst, Candidate of Sociological Sciences