The Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus occupy an important place in ensuring the military security of the state. They were created to protect the sovereignty of the country, protect its independence and, importantly, territorial integrity.
How it all began
The history of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus dates back to 1991. Almost immediately after the declaration of independence of the state, they were quickly formed. The armed forces appeared on the basis of the republican military district, which before that belonged to the army of the Soviet Union.
The starting point for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus was September 20, when the decision of the Supreme Council on the creation of the Republican Army was officially adopted.
About a year later, in November 1992, a special law was passed regulating their activities.
Today , the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus consist of two varieties. First of all, these include the Air Force and ground forces combined with air defense forces. At the same time, there is still a special kind of troops called Special Operations Forces. They are directly subordinate to the General Staff.
Army strength
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus includes about 65 thousand people. According to recent reports, about fourteen and a half thousand of them are officers. Almost 7 thousand warrant officers, about 25.5 thousand sergeants and soldiers, and about three and a half thousand cadets also serve in the army. In this case, the Armed forces of the state use the services of civilian personnel. Thus, another 14,500 people are in the service.
In peacetime, three air bases are constantly functioning, they are assisted by two radio engineering and four anti-aircraft missile brigades. There are three anti-aircraft missile regiments, one missile and a reactive artillery brigade, three artillery and four mechanized brigades.
On a regular basis, the Belarusian military participate in all kinds of exercises. Some are held in the country, others - outside the state. Most often they take place in the Russian Federation, as well as in other republics of the former Soviet Union.
Belarus Ground Forces
To a greater extent, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, the photos of which are in this article, consist of ground forces. They are divided into two operational headquarters: North-West and West. And they report directly to the Ministry of Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
During the Soviet Union, the 28th Red Banner Army was the main force and power of the Belarusian troops. Its official successor was the so-called 28th Corps. Since 2002, he was reorganized into the Western Command.
There is also the Northwest Command, which performs similar functions and tasks. The composition of the ground forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus at the present stage includes mechanized units, communications units, as well as units providing technical support in the rear.
The main pride of the Belarusian Armed Forces is the armored group. It consists of more than six hundred tanks, nearly 900 infantry fighting vehicles and almost two hundred armored personnel carriers.
Republic Air Force
The Belarusian Air Force is called upon to cover the economic, administrative and military centers of the republic from a possible enemy attack. First of all, from air strikes, for this there are air defense compounds. Also, the Air Force's task is to hit targets, ensuring the coordinated work of the ground forces.
The structure of the air force includes special services, radio engineering and anti-aircraft missile troops.
Special Army Unit
The Charter of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus stipulates the existence of a special unit called "Special Operations Forces".
This is a type of troops unique to the state, which is directly subordinate to the General Staff. It is a local analogue of the landing troops of Russia and the GRU. Among its main tasks, it is possible to emphasize conducting reconnaissance and counter-sabotage activities, countering illegal armed groups, and preventing potential armed conflicts.
Military transport
An important place in the Belarusian army is occupied by transport troops. The corresponding order was signed by the Commander-in-Chief, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. This became necessary for the organization of a universal system that could ensure the reliable operation of military transport and work equally effectively for all military formations.
In a presidential decree, the previously existing automobile and railway troops were combined into transport. To manage them, an appropriate department was established under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.
One of the main tasks of the transport troops is to provide technical cover, as well as, if necessary, to quickly restore and increase the capacity of roads and railways in the area of warfare.
The main tasks of the department also include direct control of transport troops, maintaining them in constant mobilization and combat readiness, as well as maintaining transport support for all parts of the armed forces and formations.
Moreover, the general global leadership of these troops is provided by the Ministry of Defense. But the direct command of the transport department today is in the hands of a major general named Sergei Ignatovich Novikov.
Territorial troops
In recent years, Belarus has been reducing the constant size of the army. This is one of the measures to stabilize the economic situation in the country. In order to reduce the impact on defense, the main emphasis is on the organization of territorial defense.
These troops are a backup component of the Belarusian army, they are designed to be deployed quickly if necessary, when a real threat arises or the war begins.
The Belarusian territorial forces currently number more than one hundred thousand people (in the regular army there are half as many soldiers and officers). These troops are manned from among local residents (fit for military service) according to the territorial principle. The military formations of such troops are rifle companies and battalions.
Tasks of the territorial troops
They include the protection of border areas, participation in maintaining order in the event of a state of emergency. In wartime, they are called upon to provide defense, and in peacetime, to protect military and state objects of strategic importance.
Units of territorial troops must withstand the sabotage forces of the enemy, as well as all kinds of illegal armed groups. In cities and smaller settlements, their task is to carry out engineering activities to prepare the infrastructure and equip special defensive lines.
At the same time, they are called upon to deal with the consequences of the use of weapons of mass destruction in cities and villages, carry out rescue operations and conduct emergency recovery operations.
Also, the Charter of the territorial troops provides for a clause that they can be used in active armed struggle in the territory temporarily captured by a potential enemy.