Belarus to bolster air power with delivery of Su-30SM2 jets

Modern Su-30SM2 fighter jets will be delivered to the Belarusian army next week, Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin announced during a military oath-taking ceremony. However, he did not specify the number of aircraft expected.

According to the report by the Belarus Defence Ministry, cited by Caliber.Az, the delivery is part of a broader package of military hardware. In addition to the Su-30SM2 jets, Belarus will also receive Mi-35 helicopters, BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers, electronic warfare systems, and Berkut-3 and Orlan unmanned aerial systems.

Khrenin also reminded that the joint Russian-Belarusian military drills "Zapad-2025" are scheduled for September. These will be accompanied by exercises under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), numerous inspections, and field operations.

"All of this will fall on the shoulders of our conscripts," Khrenin added, according to a statement from the Defence Ministry’s press service.

On May 21, Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Rosoboronexport, stated that Russia has offered Belarus the opportunity to begin joint production of the Checkmate light tactical fighter jet, as well as drones, armoured vehicles, and air defence systems.

Earlier, on May 18, Valery Revenko, assistant to the Belarusian Defence Minister for international military cooperation, said that the defence ministries of Belarus and Russia had adjusted plans related to security guarantees and the parameters for the upcoming Zapad-2025 exercise.

By Tamilla Hasanova