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During Russia Arms Expo — 2015, that took place in Nizhny Tagil, in September 2015, Belarusian military officials have signed a purchase contract for BTR-82A armored vehicles.

Fact of the deal was recognized by Armed Forces, without specification of the contract volume.

BTR-82А is an in-depth modernization of the 80-th model.

Endurance of the modernized armored vehicle has been increased by 20%, the turret was replaced by a combat unit with electro drives and digital bi-plane armament stabilizer and 30-mm automatic gun. A number of other improvements have been made. As a result combat efficiency of BTR-82A has doubled in comparison with BTR-80.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry intends to replace the MiG-29 fighter jets with Su-30SM after 2020, learned from Major-General Oleg Dvigalev, Chief of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense, on 20 October.

The official said: “Naturally the existing aviation fleet, particularly fighter jets MiG-29, is getting outdated. It is time to decide on replacing these aircraft. We are considering buying Su-30SM aircraft from Irkut Corporation. It may be done after 2020.”

The Su-30SM jet fighter stems from the Su-37UB model. They are now used by the Russian Air Force and the Russian Navy. These aircraft can carry guided missiles, dumb bombs and other kinds of weapons. The crew comprises two people. The aircraft can fly as far as 3,000km, with the combat radius of 1,500km. The aircraft can stay in the air without refueling for 3.5 hours. Representatives of the Belarusian Air Force tested the aircraft during the air show MAKS 2015 and positively appreciated its qualities.

Oleg Dvigalev reminded that the Belarusian side had signed the contract to buy 12 Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters. He specified that six helicopters will be delivered in 2016 and another six will be delivered in 2017. Meanwhile, the Belarusian army continues repairing and modernizing the available hardware. For instance, a military transport aircraft IL-76 is now being repaired in Ryazan.

The multipurpose helicopter Mi-8MTV-5 represents a profoundly modernized variant of the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter. The new vehicle can airlift army units at any time of the day and night while providing aerial cover. The helicopter can mount 23mm cannons or can carry up to two tonnes of bombs. The cruising speed is 230kmph, with the flying range of 590km. The helicopter can carry up to four tonnes of cargo in the cabin and up to five tonnes as external loadout.

On 20 October the Chief of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense talked to representatives of Irkut Corporation and DOSAAF (a non-governmental organization that supports the army, aviation and the navy). In particular, Oleg Dvigalev noted that the Air Force is satisfied with the pilot training standards that DOSAAF flying schools provide. He underlined that the contract on delivering Yak-130 aircraft to Belarus had been signed thanks to the DOSAAF head.

Vladimir Lavreniuk, information and public relations representative of the State Military Industrial Committee says that experts of the Committee are planning to draft over 20 aviation regulations and other documents to bring experimental aviation under regulations until 2016.

"Introduction of experimental aviation is stipulated by increasing demand in utilization of aviation capabilities to meet macroeconomic objectives, provision of defense and security potential of the country. Apart from that, we observe the increasing level of research and development in the field of aviation, active and energetic performance of the homeland enterprises in design, development and production of aviation products. Increase of the number of aviation projects implementation, including groundbreaking projects, like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has been registered. Experimental aviation is being introduced with the objective to test the produced UAVs, new equipment and its admission to batch manufacturing", - states Vladimir Lavreniuk.

Along with active development of aviation utilized in scientific research and development, engineering works, and test of other types of aviation equipment, there emerged a necessity to develop a legal framework that regulates procedures, rules and usage responsibility of experimental aerial vehicles’ proprietors. The Government of the Republic of Belarus has vested the State Military Industrial Committee with authority to regulate activities in the field of experimental aviation.

Representatives of the Committee add: "The experts of armaments prospective development and regulations in the field of experimental aviation department of the State Military Industrial Committee are currently drafting aviation regulations that will govern the procedures of experimental aviation utilization, including UAV, along with the procedures of joint airdromes utilization and joint cooperation during flights of experimental aerial vehicles".

Several draft decrees of the State Military Industrial Committee on approval of the new aviation regulations have been either approved or currently under approval, including “On approval of the List of experimental aviation personnel positions in the Republic of Belarus”, "On approval of aviation regulations related to state registration of experimental aerial vehicles in the Republic of Belarus", "On approval of Aviation regulations related to certification of experimental aerial vehicles, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, aircraft simulators for experimental aviation in the Republic of Belarus", "On approval of Aviation rules related to investigation of the airborne accidents, that involved experimental aerial vehicles in the Republic of Belarus, their classification and registration" etc.

It is also pointed out by the representatives of the State Military Industrial Committee  that the process of certification of experimental aviation objects will be delegated to a structural subunit under the supervision of “558 Aircraft Repair Plant”. Similar subunit is to be established at OJSC “AGAT – Control Systems” – managing company of Geoinformation Control Systems Holding.

It is also claimed that “As a result of the abovementioned activities, the practical tool will be created for closed cycle certification of the aviation objects in the field of aerial vehicles and their onboard systems, ground systems and flights maintenance, and in the field of ground maintenance and control stations, onboard and ground components of the automation systems maintenance and service. In order to put into action the requirements of the Air code related to experimental aviation, before the end of 2015, it is planned to finish the process of accreditation of the abovementioned structural subunits and their receipt of the accreditation certificate to conduct certification of the aviation objects, including UAVs”.

It is also contended that design entities of various ownership forms and proprietors of the experimental aerial vehicles that wish to create and use UAVs or any other type of aerial vehicle in their activities, are obliged to cooperate with structural subunits of the State Military Industrial Committee.

That form of cooperation will ensure goal-directed activities in the field of experimental aviation, allow early detection of projects that lack prospects and will eliminate duplication of the projects. It will also lead to quality formation of the state and inter-state programs on implementation of the most prominent projects in the field of experimental aviation. More than that, it will provide security and control of the whole process of design, development and production of the new aerial vehicle.

On September 23^rd the Belarusian Army practiced Mi-8 helicopter-lift landing close to highway strip M1 Brest-the border with the Russian Federation.

Two Mi-8 helicopters operated under the cover of two Mi-24 attack helicopters. In Belarus such kind of landing was practiced for the first time.

According to the training course, the troopers suppressed enemy’s sabotage-reconnaissance group, discovered close to highway strip on which military aircraft  landing was planned.   

Moreover, ground personnel and various equipment were involved into the training. The highway strip is also covered by ADMS TOR-M2.

On September 23^rd the Belarusian military for the first time practiced landing of military-transport aircraft An-26 on highway strip.

The aircraft landed on M1 highway (Brest-border with the Russian Federation) close to Dzerzhinsk city.

The Belarusian military have already practiced numerous aircraft landing on military routes. However, earlier only fighters and attack aircraft practiced this type of landing, not military-transport aircraft. One fighter MiG-29 and two attack aircraft Su-25 also landed on M1 highway.    

According to the representatives of the Ministry of Defense it is very difficult to land aircraft on highway, as the highway is not equipped with any navigation system,  like airfield for instance. That is way this kind of training plays a key role in pilot’s skills improvement. At the same time this type of training helps to attain psychological readiness to fulfill the tasks on air fleet dispersion.

Together with Air Forces other services also participated in the event. Significant preparation  work was performed in order to land aircraft  on highway strip. In particular, various equipment and posts which are located close to the highway were correspondently marked as well as interaction with the local authorities was arranged.    

Current year training has a distinct feature – observers, who are the representatives of  the People’s Liberation Army of China.   

Starting since 2007 certain sections of highway in Belarus have been used as reserve airfield. On April 14^th, 2007  for the first time in the history of Air Forces and Air Defense of Belarus two attack aircraft Su-25UB landed on highway. Some months later, in summer, MiG-29 and Su-27 also landed on the highway.