Main directions of development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus

Abstract

A fundamental assumption in the context of potential development trends of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus is their close relations and far-reaching cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Accordingly, this paper presents the Belarusian-Russian relations and dependencies that are taking place within the framework of the progressive military integration of the two countries. Among other things, the structural and functional changes taking place in the Belarusian army were presented. Belarusian-Russian military cooperation, including the regular manoeuvres codenamed „Zapad”, serves the combat coordination of both armies, and ultimately aims at the incorporation of the Belarusian Armed Forces. In fact, Belarusian modernization programs result from specific integration efforts and serve the purpose of achieving thegoals of Russian security policy. The modernization and supply of equipment and weapons are largely based on domestic production, which is a continuation of the solutions of Soviet technical thought and is aimed at adapting the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus to the needs defined by the Russian Federation. The directions of development presented in this paper and the range of capabilities of the Belarusian army in favorable conditions from Moscow’s point of view will allow for the transition from military pressure to potential real Belarusian-Russian military actions in the western operational direction.