President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 21 April made his annual address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly. In his speech, the Belarusian leader stressed once again that the Russian Federation is our ally and strategic partner with whom the dynamic development of cooperation at the interstate and regional levels.
One of the main directions of this cooperation is the close coordination of States in military-political and military spheres. This is confirmed by the common views of the military-political leadership of the countries of the Union state on the process of NATO expansion, plans to deploy the US ABM in Europe, the worsening situation in the middle East and other issues, as well as conducting numerous joint events of combat training, including in the framework of the CSTO.
“Given the worsening situation in the far and near abroad, we have to increase defence capabilities. We have – we have no extra money. Not to be the helpless object of a local military conflict,” – said Alexander Lukashenko.
It’s not just words, it is a statement of facts – the borders of Belarus is building up its forces and means of the armed forces of Poland and the Baltic States, and strengthening the forces of NATO and the United States. Under the brand of “Russian threat”, the political “elite” of Eastern Europe, suffering from Russophobia to please their owners increases the cost of the army. However, those same politicians understand that there is no threat is a myth by which they receive subsidies and, subsequently, the “bread” places in European political institutions. However, many are aware that just because the weapons and military equipment or who does not. Moreover, Washington made clear to its “partners” in the Alliance and the EU that the main threat currently comes exclusively from Russia, with which Belarus is building the Union state. And, by the way, the shortest route to Moscow passes through Minsk.
In these conditions the Belarusian Armed Forces must improve the forms and methods of combat use of the units and taking into account the emergence of new challenges and threats. With the beginning of the year in the army already held two large-scale test combat readiness, affecting all aspects of military life, as well as several events of combat training with units of the armed forces of Russia and the countries of the Organization of collective security Treaty.
These words were confirmed by the chief of the General staff of the armed forces of Belarus major General Oleg Belokonev, who said: “Today in the conditions of sharp changes in the geopolitical situation in the foreground are the issues of practical cooperation. We need to work out mechanisms of cooperation and countering emerging threats, look for real ways to improve them”.
So, from 18 to 22 April for the first time in the history of the Organization in Tajikistan, was organized with the teaching of forces and means of reconnaissance of the armed forces of member States ODKB “Search-2016”. The peculiarity of this doctrine for the Belarusian contingent has been carrying out reconnaissance and special tasks in unfamiliar terrain in a rapidly changing environment, in conditions of high mountains. In addition, in early April, the Belarusian and Russian paratroopers practiced joint problems in Brest and Ulyanovsk.
Military cooperation of the countries of the Union state attracts the attention of many analysts. The interest is largely due to the fact that an advanced form of such integration not only benefits to the countries participating in the process, but can have a significant impact on the regional balance of power, and also have appreciable consequences for the Baltic States and Poland. However, a number of military experts, especially “working” in the interests of NATO (USA) in such collaboration only see the Kremlin’s desire to gain control over Minsk in all areas.
However, even a superficial analysis of the situation it becomes apparent that despite the large amount of natural resources, enormous economic and technical potential of Russia is experiencing a lot of problems: ranging from the internal – economic, social, and external – with the situation in Ukraine, the fight against terrorism, and also because of imposed sanctions. Thus, the Kremlin is beneficial to have a neighbor country in the Alliance, and politically independent Belarus, which will border with the States of the North Atlantic bloc.
Therefore, to fully support its ally the West is beneficial for Russia, – Belarus is gradually gaining weight in the political arena, forging relationships with many countries of Europe and the USA and that is not unimportant, on many foreign policy issues Minsk and Moscow have similar views. In addition, if you take the military aspect of cooperation, Belarus is undergoing dynamic development and modernisation of the army, new samples of arms and equipment that make itself loudly say, new radars, armored vehicles, MLRS “Polonaise”, the CD “Stork”…
It is also necessary to recall that the military-industrial complex of the two countries are quite closely related, so despite the statements of high officials of Russia about the need to reconsider military-technical cooperation with Belarus, so just established long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation not to break. Moscow supplies the official Minsk with the necessary modern samples of arms, at discounted prices of selling excess weapons. Belarus, in turn, is the main supplier of wheeled vehicles for many weapon systems, as well as optical, electronic and a number of other components. In addition, countries have a unified air defense system, the regional grouping of troops (forces), as well as many other joint projects.
In addition to integration with Russia is a significant step in enhancing the defense capacity of the country was the adoption of a new wording of the military doctrine, which set forth the peaceful nature of our foreign policy. The document emphasises that to protect his country in case of exhaustion of the measures of non-military nature of the state is prepared to use military force against external aggression, and for the neutralization of internal armed conflict.
Russia, and especially Belarus are not interested in resumption of military confrontation with the West. Therefore, the judgements that appear in some sources that the Union of Moscow and Minsk, and especially its military component represents a danger for the neighbouring States that do not correspond to the real situation – the integration of the two countries is aimed solely at ensuring security and peace not only in the Union state, but across the region.
