Meeting discuss state armament programs and state defense procurement order

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held a meeting to discuss state armament programs and the state defense procurement order on 11 May.

The head of state suggested that participants discuss the level of technical readiness of the Belarusian army based on the outcomes of the 2021-2025 state armament program, as well as the objectives in this area for the next five-year period. In this connection, the head of state emphasized the importance of equipping troops with modern weaponry.

“It is impossible to accomplish defense objectives without equipping our troops with modern weapons. We must have weapons that we can actually use, know how to operate,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The President stressed that the specific characteristics of Belarus’ territory - a potential theater of military operations in the event of external aggression - must be taken into account: “This is not a desert, not even the Ukrainian steppes. Therefore, we need to acquire and develop the weapons that we will need,” he stated.

At the same time, the Belarusian leader noted that without fundamental weapons that a soldier must master, it is impossible to win a war: “Recent conflicts demonstrate this. Take, for example, the armed confrontation between Iran, Israel, and the USA - what did it show? They bombed, they pounded with bombs and missiles... And what - did they win? No. No success is possible without a ground operation.” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that modern conflicts show that trained soldiers and officers, along with the weapons needed for ground combat, play a significant role.

The President also noted that at the beginning of the year, on his instructions, the State Secretariat of the Security Council, together with the State Control Committee, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Armed Forces. “I wanted to know how our Armed Forces, and above all, our army, would act in the event of aggression against Belarus,” he emphasized.

On the results of the state armament program for 2021-2025

“It is important that the implementation of the program let us over five years to increase the share of modern systems in the Armed Forces to nearly half, 45%. The share of annually renewed equipment rose to 2%. It can be stated that the measures we are taking enable us to maintain weapons and military equipment in a combat-ready state,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The President noted that the main focus of the previous program was on strengthening the combat capability of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. “New aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems have been delivered to military units and are being operated,” the President emphasized.

He also noted that to enhance mobility, mechanized units have received modern armored vehicles, including those of Belarusian production. The equipment of military personnel has been improved, including through the use of modern body armor and optics.

Considerable attention has been paid to the delivery of new communications equipment. “As experience shows, this is also a critically important component that today determines a great deal, and sometimes everything, in modern combat. In the near future, we will take a close look at the state of our communications equipment,” the head of state added.

“By the way, everything I am talking about is produced in Belarus,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

On the draft state armament program and draft state defense procurement order

The President emphasized that the government has prepared drafts of the state armament program for 2026–2030 and the state defense procurement order. “After discussing the draft program, we must make a decision. If we make a decision, I will sign this program,” the head of state said.

In this regard, he asked how the military assesses these documents in terms of strengthening the state’s defense capability. “How do these documents address the issue of equipping troops with modern systems, taking into account existing and emerging new military threats, as well as the results of the inspection that was conducted [referring to the comprehensive inspection of the Armed Forces of Belarus]? Have the proposals of other law enforcement agencies been taken into account? Which types of weapons are given priority in the program to enhance the combat potential of the troops?” Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined as key questions.

At the same time, the President stressed, everyone must understand that the effectiveness of the allocated funds must be maximized.