MINSK, 23 June (BelTA) – Belarus exports $250-300 million worth of military products to Russia every year. Chairman of the State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus Dmitry Pantus mentioned the figure during the 10th international defense technology expo MILEX. The expo opened in Minsk on 23 June and will last through 26 June, BelTA has learned.
According to the source, while Belarusian defense enterprises ship about $250-300 million worth of products to Russia every year, they do not participate in Russian defense contracts on quite equal terms. “However, a rather broad range of parts, components, and means of mobility are shipped to Russian defense enterprises. I hope the product range will grow larger,” Dmitry Pantus said.
The official went on saying: “We are open to cooperation. Besides, within the framework of MILEX 2021 the Belarusian Defense Ministry intends to sign contracts on selling products.”
“We will try to coordinate our work on the market, including work on third-country markets, with Russia. We modernize aircraft, aviation products of Soviet make and of contemporary Russian make, this is why we try to coordinate these actions and work together. This interaction will continue taking into account the pressure of the collective West on Belarus and Russia,” the official stressed.
“We are historically brothers and have always been the closest ones. This work will continue particularly in matters concerning the defense industry,” Dmitry Pantus stated.
The official also reminded that Baranovichi-based 558 Aircraft Repair Plant had overhauled a number of MiG-29 aircraft over the course of one year. “We've implemented this project together with our Russian partners. We shipped four aircraft in spring. These aircraft were officially handed over to the Armed Forces of Serbia and their flight trials were arranged. We received a glowing report from the Serbian side,” he stated.
Apart from that, eight Su-25 aircraft have been repaired and upgraded for Bulgaria. “Our work has been highly appreciated,” the head of the State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus said.
From the point of view of the scope, the composition and the level of participants, the infrastructure, MILEX is viewed as one of the largest defense technology expos in Eastern Europe. Since 2001 this large-scale weaponry show has been traditionally attracting attention of leading Belarusian and world manufacturers of military products. The expo's key goals are to broadly present Belarusian defense industry products, offer a closer look at the latest high-tech products, and demonstrate capabilities of the enterprises that upgrade and repair military hardware and provide various services to the army.
MILEX 2021 features over 300 samples of cutting-edge weapons, military hardware, and special hardware of Belarusian make alone. As many as 177 of them are showcased for the first time. Eighty-eight products are upgraded ones.
