If you want peace, prepare for defence

The possession of long-range missiles enhances defensive potential

Kiev has long adopted long-range missiles of Western manufacture, yet neither Washington nor Brussels has granted Ukraine permission to use this weaponry against targets within Russia. What should we expect in the future, and how is Belarus developing its domestic missile industry?

S-300 surface-to-air missile system     Aleksandr Kulevsky

Psychological warfare

Western European experts are convinced that granting Zelensky permission to strike on Russian rear will not bring about any significant changes on the front, as Kiev lacks sufficient weaponry of this type. It is also emphasised that, in relation to the European states supplying arms to Ukraine, Russia is still demonstrating patience. It understands that Europeans are neither sovereign nor independent, and their decisions are dictated by Washington. However, when it comes to the use of long-range precision weaponry for strikes on Russian territory, the situation is quite different.
Flight missions for such targeting systems can only be conducted by military personnel from NATO countries, while intelligence data for this purpose can only be provided by satellites from the European Union or the United States. “This would mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European nations are at war with Russia. If that is the case, then — considering the fundamental shift in the nature of this conflict — we will make the appropriate decisions based on the threats posed to us,” Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly articulated the position.

According to American analysts, Russia has pre-emptively removed many critical potential targets from the line of fire. Furthermore, CNN has underlined that Kiev has already expended a large portion of the cruise missiles supplied to it, and the West is simply unable to provide more. These missiles are being reserved for a ‘rainy day’ and for a potential global conflict, which is why NATO will not send scarce weapons to other countries.

The final decision regarding the lifting of the ban on strikes against Russia using Western missiles rests with the United States. However, it is essential to consider a very important factor in this regard. The fact is that ATACMS is a purely American ‘toy’, whereas Storm Shadow involves the US, the UK, Italy, and France. Therefore, the decision to use these missiles must be a collective one. The leadership of these countries has not granted such permission to the Kiev regime either.
Thus, all conclusions suggesting that Kiev has received the long-awaited permission are merely words. Western propagandists are attempting to frighten Russians by claiming that Ukraine will soon be allowed to strike their territory with long-range precision weaponry. In reality, these are more of intimidation tactics today.

Long-term plans

ATACMS does not pose any significant challenge as a target for air and missile defence troops. The S-300 and S-400 Triumf systems, which possess non-strategic ballistic missile defence capabilities, effectively combat aerial threats. Additionally, the S-350 Vityaz medium-range surface-to-air missile system can simultaneously engage 12 ballistic targets of the ATACMS type.
Hence the answer to the question of why Belarus needs missile armament and long-term plans for the development of its domestic defence industry. President Aleksandr Lukashenko has sent a message to our belligerent neighbours that Belarus adheres to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution. At the same time, we are ready — and, most importantly, able — to defend our national interests. The Head of State expressed the essence of our defence industry back on May 22nd, 2020, during a visit to the experimental testing site of the research and production LLC OKB TSP, “No one is immune from war. Unfortunately, we must prepare for it in peacetime. You cannot get away from it. If you do not prepare now, God forbid, you will reap the bitter fruits later.”

We realise that the development of missile armament and the overall strengthening of the army require considerable financial resources. Nevertheless, the armed forces’ combat readiness remains one of the top priorities, and the Head of State is convinced that we cannot economise on defence.

In recent years, the missile industry in our country has been consistently associated with the Polonez multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). This weapon was first unveiled to the public in 2015. Since then, the system has been continuously improved, and at a commendable pace, as evidenced by the results of this work — its range has increased from 200 to 300 kilometres. 

Flight range

The nomenclature of missile weapons produced by the Belarusian defence industry is constantly expanding. This includes the Shershen anti-tank missile system, the Sapfir grenade launcher, the Belarus-developed Buk-MB2K air defence system, also known as Citadel, and the Uragan-M MLRS that was upgraded in our country and has already successfully completed firing tests. The first domestically produced anti-aircraft guided missile intended for Citadel — its launch took place on February 19th, 2020 — even bore the signature of the Head of State.
Additionally, we have mastered the repair and modernisation of guided aircraft missiles, having equipped them with laser and infrared image seeker heads. Belarusian design engineers have devised the first small-size cruise missile Askalon, fitted with a turbojet engine capable of reaching speeds of up to 700 km/h. The practical flight range is 310km.  

The focus in present-day military conflicts is increasingly shifting towards the AI confrontation, driven by the necessity to preserve human lives. Belarusian specialists are keeping their finger on the pulse in this regard. 

Therefore, the implementation of the rocket and missile engineering programme is the milestone that should conclude the next cycle in the development of the entire military-industrial complex of the country. Our major task is technological sovereignty and autonomy of the Belarusian army — both in terms of technology and weaponry.

Fleita multiple launch rocket system

Systematic approach

The domestic Fleita MLRS, created on the basis of a light armoured vehicle, is of great interest to our army. Thanks to a modern automation system, the deployment time in the field takes no more than one minute, and preparation for firing takes around 30 seconds. The use of such systems on remotely controlled robotic complexes allows for the preservation of personnel.
Another example of the latest multiple launch rocket systems is Shkval, with a calibre of 122mm. The system is equipped with guides for domestically produced munitions, as well as an automated fire control system, satellite navigation equipment, and a weather station. The time spent by combat vehicles in the launch position has been reduced, which is critical in combat conditions when equipment must change position after striking. Belarusian developers have managed to increase the power of the munitions and double their range to 40km.

Limited quantity

Before the special military operation, the United States had about a thousand ATACMS missiles, of which they have already supplied nearly a hundred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In this scenario, the US will be able to provide no more than 200 additional missiles. These missiles have already been used by Kiev — one of the largest ATACMS attacks occurred on June 23rd in Sevastopol, resulting in injuries of varying degrees to 124 people, including 27 children.

By Aleksandr Tikhansky, military political analyst, Candidate of Sociological Sciences