Belarusian Air Force

Belarusian Air Force
Belarusian Air Force badge
Active 15 June 1992 – present
Country  Belarus
Type Air force
Role Aerial warfare
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief Alexander Lukashenko
Commander of the Air Force Major General Igor Golub
Insignia
Roundel
Flag
Aircraft flown
Attack Su-25
Fighter MiG-29
Helicopter Mi-8, Mi-26
Attack helicopter Mi-24
Trainer L-39C, Yak-130
Transport Il-76, An-26

The Military Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Republic of Belarus (Belarusian: Ваенна-паветраныя сілы і войскі супрацьпаветранай абароны Рэспублікі Беларусь) is the air force of the Armed Forces of Belarus, formed in 1992 from the 26th Air Army of the Soviet Air Forces which had been serving in the Byelorussian SSR.[1]

On 5 May 1942, on the basis of the Air Forces of the Western Front, the 1st Air Army was created.[2] By General Staff order of 10 January 1949, the Army became the 26th Air Army (ГШ ВС СССР № ОРГ 120026). In 1980, the 26th Air Army was redesignated the Air Forces of the Belorussian Military District (ГШ ВС СССР 1980 года № 314/1/00170). On 1 May 1988, in accordance with the Ministry of Defence of the USSR's Decree № 0018, the Air Forces of the District were again renamed the 26th Air Army. On 15 June 1992, by decree № 05 of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, the 26th Air Army headquarters became the command of the Air Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Organization

Ilyushin Il-76MD of the Belarusian Air Force on arrival day at Radom-Sadków AFB before Air Show 2009.

In January 1992, the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Regiment (ru:927-й истребительный авиационный полк) was transferred to the Air Force of Belarus.

In 1993, the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Regiment was renamed the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base Belarus.

In accordance with an edict of the President of Belarus in 2001, the Air Force, and Air Defense troops were created as one of the arms of the Armed Forces of Belarus. The VVS and Air Defense forces are intended to protect population centres such as cities and regions, as well as the administrative, industrial, economic interests of the Republic. They are also intended to defend troops from the impacts of enemy air attacks, and also against the attacks of hostile troops, as well as fire support and the guarantee of combat operations of ground forces.

In peacetime, VVS and Air Defense forces are on standby to protect the state boundary in the air and also control of Belarusian airspace.

In August 2010, the 927th Konigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base of Belarus (24 August 2010) was renamed the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Training Center and the use of unmanned aircraft systems of the Air Force of the Republic of Belarus.

The Air Force and Air Defense of the Armed Forces of Belarus are organized into six major flying regiments, including two interceptor, three strike, and a reconnaissance regiments. The air force consists of more than 18,170 personnel, though this number is being reduced. Prior to August 2010, there were 6 primary airbases: Machulishi (50th Mixed Air Base),[3] Lida (206th Assault Air Base), Baranovichi (61st Fighter Air Base),[4][5][6][7] Ross (116th Bomber-Recon Air Base), Pruzhany (181st Combat Helicopter Base), and Bereza (927th Fighter Air Base).[8] There are 4 active airbases: Baranovichi (61st Assault Air Base),[9][10] Lida (116th Guards Assault Air Base),[11][12][13] Pruzhany (181st Combat Helicopter Base) and Machulishi (50th Mixed Air Base), now December 2011.[14][15] The Air Force is responsible for all military aviation, as the Army maintains no aircraft of its own.

The Belarusian Air Force maintains close links with the Russian Air Force.[16][17][18]

Accidents

On 30 August 2009, a Su-27 UBM aircraft crashed on the second day of the Air Show 2009 in Radom killing both pilots.[19][20][21][22]

On 21 April 2010, two MiG-29 aircraft were performing an exercise when they both collided. One managed to land safely, while the other crashed.[23][24]

On 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed.[25][26][27]

On 29 November 2011, a Mi-24 helicopter crashed in a small forest near the village of Novye Zasimovichi. The crew of three people was killed on impact. According to eyewitnesses, "thick fog fell the previous evening."[28][29][30]

On 12 June 2012, a Su-25 aircraft crashed near a small village in Belarus. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Gridnyov, lost control of the aircraft when maneuvering at low-altitude.[31] [32][33] He was ordered to eject, but instead remained on board to make sure the aircraft did not crash into the village.[34]

On 11 November 2014, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed.[35]

On 23 February 2017, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed. Engine fire during takeoff, Pilot ejected safely at Bobruisk, Mogilev Region

Aircraft

Current inventory

A Belarusian Su-25 in flight
A pair of MiG-29’s on final approach
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-29 Russia multirole 43[36] 13 upgraded to MiG-29BM in 2004[37]
Sukhoi Su-25 Russia attack / CAS 68[36]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia fighter 12 on order[36][38]
Transport
Ilyushin Il-76 Russia heavy transport 2[36]
Antonov An-26 Ukraine transport 3[36]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Russia utility 36[36]
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack 21[36]
Mil Mi-26 Russia transport 5[36]
Trainer Aircraft
Yak-130 Russia advanced trainer 8[36]
Aero L-39 Czech Republic jet trainer 10[36]
Mil Mi-2 Russia trainer 6[36]

Retired Aircraft

After the Collapse of the USSR in 1992 Belarus had in its inventory :

  • 45x MiG-23 - were scrapped
  • 13x MiG-25 - were scrapped
  • 42x Su-24 - were withdrawn from service[39] 12 sold to Sudan Air Force
  • 25x Su-27 - were withdrawn from service
  • Approximately two dozen old Mi-2 helicopters are stored in Belarus[40](including some displayed at the Minsk-Borovaya Air Museum[41]), and some may still be used by the Belarusian Police today.[42][43]
  • Approximately two dozen An-2 utility aircraft are stored in Belarus.[40]
  • In February 2012, all 35 Su-24s were withdrawn from service.[44][45]
  • In December 2012, all 17 Su-27P and 4 Su-27UBM1 were withdrawn from service.[46][47]

References

  1. ↑ "The Military Balance 2014"., February 05, 2014.
  2. ↑ Belarusian Ministry of Defence, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2008-07-19. , accessed 22 May 2008
  3. ↑ "Belarus Returns MIG-29 Alert Fighters to Machulischi". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Russia Deploys First Fighter Jets to Belarus". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "Russian QRA Fighters & A-50 at Baranovichi". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Angola, Sudan, & Belarus' 558th Aircraft Repair Plant". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Belarusian Baranavichy will be Russian fighter home". AIRheads↑FLY. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "Belarus Base Realignment and Closure". OSGEOINT. 12 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Russia ready to establish air base in Baranavichy - Charter'97 :: News from Belarus - Belarusian News - Republic of Belarus - Minsk". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Lukashenko inspects 61st fighter airbase". Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "Belarusian Air Force Base, Lida". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "Russia to Open Airbase in Belarus Within Months". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "Russian Fighter Jets to Deploy to Belarus by Year End – Minister". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "Сайт Берёзовской районной газеты Маяк". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Россь: мы уходим, уходим, уходим… (фото и видео)". Волковыск.BY. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  16. ↑ White October Ltd. "The Conventional Imbalance and Debate on Russian Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "Defence Statistics 2013" August 1, 2013
  18. ↑ "Defence Statistics 2014" May 15, 2014
  19. ↑ "Funeral for two Air Force pilots in Baranavichy -". Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "BelaPAN. In pictures: Funeral for two Air Force pilots in Baranavichy". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. ↑ http://en.ria.ru/exsoviet/20090830/155966835.html
  22. ↑ "Belarus to modernize its fleet of Sukhoi Su-27 jet fighter". January 31, 2014.
  23. ↑ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 21-APR-2010 MiG-29 Fulcrum". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "Two fighter jets collide in mid-air in Brest region, no casualties reported". Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  25. ↑ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 23-SEP-2010 MiG-29UB 63". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  26. ↑ "Two pilots killed in fighter jet crash in western Belarus". Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  27. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  28. ↑ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 29-NOV-2011 Mil Mi-24 01 white". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "Military helicopter crashes in Pruzhany killing crew - Charter'97 :: News from Belarus - Belarusian News - Republic of Belarus - Minsk". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  30. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-24. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
  31. ↑ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 12-JUN-2012 Sukhoi Su-25". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "Su-25 Fighter Jet Crashes in Belarus". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "Belarussian Su 25 crashes, pilot choses not to eject to save civilians". Indian Defence Forum. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  34. ↑ Su-25 Fighter Jet Crashes in Belarus
  35. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  37. ↑ "Музей авиационной техники-Боровая". museum.ucoz.ru. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  38. ↑ http://www.belaruspartisan.org/politic/384748/
  39. ↑ "Belarus restores Su-24s, but for whom?". AIRheads↑FLY. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  40. 1 2 "Kukaviaczyna. Storage of old aircraft: Mi-2 and the An-2". 9 June 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  41. ↑ "Mil Mi-2, Minsk-Borovaya Air Museum, Belarus". Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  42. ↑ "Belarus - Police (DOSAAF)". 27 June 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  43. ↑ "Belarus - Police". 17 August 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  44. ↑ "Белоруссия отказалась от бомбардировщиков Су-24". 21 February 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  45. ↑ "Belarus' Su-27 fighter jets will probably be retired, defense minister say". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  46. ↑ "bmpd". Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  47. ↑ "Belarus Phases Out Russian Warplanes, Radars". Retrieved 24 December 2014.

Further reading

  • Sergey Burdin (transl. Alan Dawes), 'Belarus Air Force,' Air Forces Monthly, March 2003, 26-30.
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