MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – Belarus needs to deploy several squadrons of tactical missile systems Iskander in the western direction and the southern direction. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement in an interview with Igor Korotchenko, a military expert and Editor-in-Chief of the Russian magazine Natsionalnaya Oborona [national defense] on 9 November, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the Belarusian army has good and high-precision weapons. But it is necessary to continue equipping the troops with new hardware thanks to Russian partners.
“We have to know how to fight against the hardware that will come here. We shouldn't forget that yes, we can be destroyed by missile fire but they will never stage a ground operation in Belarus – we are ready for it, we have special operations forces,” the head of state stressed.
In particular, Belarus intends to get Russian tactical missile systems Iskander. “I need several squadrons in the western direction and the southern one. With a range of 500km. Our [multiple-launch rocket system] Polonez can shoot for up to 300km,” the president said. “We see where various weapons can be applied in an effective manner. Mobility is very important these days, this is why we've created vehicles at [Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant] MZKT, armored vehicles, eight or nine people in the crew like an armored personnel carrier. This is why you don't have to worry, we will play our role here. You can rest assured.”
