Belarus Airbase To Get New Russian Aircraft

Russia is planning to increase the number of airplanes and helicopters at its planned airbase in Belarus scheduled to be opened in 2016, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday during a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Andrei Ravkov that he is ready to continue the discussion of cooperation on a practical basis today.

“This is in regard to the S-300 [anti-aircraft missile system], as well as the creation and basing of [our] aviation in Belarus by increasing the number of airplanes and helicopters. This should provide for the security of our common airspace,” Shoigu said. Defense minister did not specify the amount of hardware to be based there.

In October, a highly-ranked Air Force official said Su-27 (Flanker) fighter aircraft would be based at the new complex.

"A Russian Air Force Base in Belarus will be opened in 2016 and Su-27 fighters will be based there," Col.-Gen. Viktor Bondarev said.

In October, Shoigu stated that the two countries will expand their military drills program in 2015 due to the changing situation on the borders and in the world as a whole. The Minister spoke of "new threats" to the Union State [a supranational entity of Russia and Belarus] as a reason for such expansion.