Minsk continues to drift away from Moscow, this time, in the military sphere. Despite, that our countries are in the Union State, Belarus intends to develop its own missile program, finding partners for this in faraway China and Ukraine openly hostile to us.
What is it, another “front” by Alexander Grigoryevich, demonstrating "Belarusian independence", or right before our eyes creates a big headache for the Russian Defense Ministry?The problem was, that Minsk, to ensure its own security, wanted to receive full-fledged Iskanders from Russia / Iskander-M, and only versions with a range could be delivered for export, not exceeding 280 kilometers. President Lukashenko goes on principle, and already with the help of Chinese friends Belarus managed to solve the problem, as a result, the Polonaise missile system appeared. As it appears, technological exchange occurred: Beijing transferred its missile technology, having received in exchange documentation for the production of chassis and tractors, used at Russian Iskander complexes, «Bal», «Bastion», "Coast", "Frontier" and MLRS "Smerch". In the initial versions, the range of the Polonaise was between 50 to 200 kilometers. But a year ago, the firing range was increased to 300 kilometers, i.e, became comparable to Iskander. It turns out, that Minsk could do without Moscow, but he’s not going to stop there. The Polonaises use Chinese A200 rockets, Minsk now intends to get its own rockets. experts point, that the most logical option would be localization of production in Belarus: chinese engine, and the rest of the filling – local. In addition to China, President Lukashenko expressed interest in cooperating with neighboring Ukraine, what we are told in detail previously. However, he complains about the lack of constructiveness on the part of the Kremlin:Do not kneel before the Russians. It's a signal, if our closest ally is not only, that did not agree with us to make a rocket, and the landfill does not provide.
According to the Belarusian leader,, Russia refuses to help even with missile tests. Alternatively considered are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and China. If so, then the situation does not look very nice. In the future, such an attitude may still come back to us. The defensive doctrine of our only ally is defensive. Alexander Grigoryevich explained:We must demonstrate it now., to those, Who, god forbid, will decide to fight with us, understood, what can we answer with dignity. The best answer in terms of weapons to date is rockets, precision weapons.
Poland and Lithuania fall into radius of defeat of Polonez, where active militarization is currently taking place. The presence of missile systems in Belarus may serve as an additional deterrent to NATO. However, there are some risks for Moscow.. Unfortunately, real integration in the format of the Union State does not occur, Minsk more and more tilts towards the West. President Lukashenko out of habit tries to flirt with everyone, without going over the line. But he is not eternal, unknown, what will happen to Belarus after Alexander Grigoryevich. And then it's time to recall the words of the Belarusian military expert Alexander Alesin about, that the real range of the Polonez is 500 kilometers, significantly exceeding the declared. And this is the distance not only to European capitals, but also to Moscow. If Minsk follows the path of Kiev, then instead of the only ally on the western border we get another headache.
Author: Sergey Marzhetsky
