Belarus army’s S-400 and Iskander missile systems become fully operational

Europe, News December 27, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russian-made S-400 air defense systems and Iskander tactical missile systems that have been deployed in Belarus by Russia become fully operational, a senior Belarusian official announced.

Belarusian defense ministry’s head of the Main Directorate of Ideology, Leonid Kasinsky said that “Our servicemen, crews have fully completed their training in the joint combat training centers of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.”

Kasinsky said in a video posted on the Telegram app that “These types of weapons [S-400 defense systems and Iskander missile systems] are on combat duty today and they are fully prepared to perform tasks for their intended purpose.”

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying “Special thanks to you [President Putin]… for keeping your promise.”

Lukashenko stressed that his country has received the S-400 and Iskander systems from Russia, as Putin promised six months ago. Both systems have been put on “combat duty”, the Belarusian president added.

In June 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would provide Belarus with the Iskander and the air defense systems, however, the total number of S-400 and Iskander tactical missile systems remains unknown.

^{Russian service members equip an Iskander tactical missile system at the Army-2015 international military-technical forum in Kubinka, outside Moscow, Russia, on June 17, 2015. (Image Credit: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters)}

After both missile systems became fully operational, President Lukashenko said that the Belarusian armed forces can now expand their attack range from about 300km (186 miles) to 500km (311 miles).

Iskander is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system, termed “SS-26 Stone” by the NATO Alliance. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and penetrate into military bunkers and has an electromagnetic pulse device for anti-radar missions. Iskander systems have two guided missiles with a range of up to 500km (300 miles).

According to Russian Defense Ministry, Russia had used its Iskander systems to launch missiles on Ukrainian “military infrastructure” during its ongoing war with Ukraine.

The S-400 is a mobile, surface-to-air missile defense system, developed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau as an upgraded version of the S-300. The S-400 is considered to be one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world, which is designed to act as a shield for protecting strategic areas.

The Russian surface-to-air missile system can hit both air and ballistic targets and is capable of countering aircraft, drones, as well as cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles.

^{This handout video grab released by the Russian Defense Ministry shows combat crews of the S-400 air defense system taking up combat duty during joint exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus as part of an inspection of the Union State’s Response Force. (Image Credit: AFP/Russian Defense Ministry)}

Each S-400 system has two batteries, independent command and control systems, a surveillance radar, an engagement radar, and up to four vehicles for transportation, propelling, and launching of surface-to-air missiles. contains airborne sensors and an advanced radar system that enable it to launch four types of missiles with an altitude of 180 kilometers.

Last week on December 19, Belarusian President Lukashenko welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Minsk. Both sides agreed to strengthen political and military ties and continue closer integration between Belarus and Russia.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said, “Strengthening of Belarusian-Russian relations has become a natural response to the changing situation in the world, where we are constantly tested for our strength. I believe that despite some rough edges, we still find effective responses to various challenges and threats.”