Russia and Belarus increase co-operation on SAM defences

It was announced in April 2004 that the S-300 transfer to Belarus will be for four systems originally built in 1985-86. These will require a five to six month overhaul to extend their service life by an additional 10 years. The systems will also be upgraded, and Belarus will pay for the overhaul. Following bilateral talks in Minsk about air defence co-operation between Russian and Belarus air and air force commanders, Belarus was a major participant in a Commonwealth of Independent States joint air-defence system command-post exercise (CPX) which began on 7 April. Belarus SAMs and fighters also took part in the live-fire part of the exercise, which started at the Ashuluk training area in Russia's Astrakhan oblast. Belarus's participation in the live firing included testing of modified Buk-M1 (SA-17 'Grizzly') SAMs fired by crews from the 120th SAM Brigade (see Belarus to upgrade Buk SAMs on page ? of this issue). Modified MiG-29BM (Belarus Modified) fighters from the 61st Air Base were due to carry out live firings as part of the exercise. These aircraft have been overhauled and upgraded by the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant at Baranovichi. © 2005 Jane's Information Group. All rights reserved.