Belarus has received a new batch of multi-role Su-30SM2 fighters, which have arrived at one of the country’s air bases, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus said on January 29.
According to the ministry, the new aircraft are part of the ongoing process of rearmament of the air force and air defense forces of Belarus. The Su-30SM2 had previously entered service, and this delivery continues the schedule for the transition to the modernized fighters. The previous batch was delivered in December last year.
The arrival of the planes was confirmed by the Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces and the Chief of Aviation, Colonel Aleksandr Belyaev, in an official statement from the ministry.
“The main duty of our pilots is to protect the country’s air borders. They are on the front line of defense,” Belyaev said. “The arrival of new aircraft is always a celebration for the pilots. Flying a fighter that has just left the factory is an honor and a pleasure, but it also comes with great responsibility.”
The officer added that the level of responsibility among the personnel operating and maintaining the new aircraft is extremely high. “The sense of responsibility that aviation personnel experience when working with this type of equipment transcends all boundaries. We have no right to disappoint our people and our country. We will do everything to ensure that our dear homeland remains peaceful and prosperous,” he stated.
The Su-30SM2 is a modernized version of the Su-30SM and includes improvements in avionics, radar systems and compatibility with the latest guided weapons. The fighter aircraft is designed for air dominance, escort, interception and attack, and serves as a central platform for both the Russian and Belarusian air forces.
In recent years, Belarus has gradually expanded its fleet of modern combat aircraft as part of closer military integration with Russia. The deliveries of the Su-30SM2 are made within the framework of bilateral defense cooperation agreements and are intended to replace the Soviet fighters still in service in the Belarusian units.
The Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus use the Su-30SM family as one of the pillars for the protection of the national airspace. The aircraft are routinely deployed for air patrols, joint exercises with Russian forces and integrated air defense activities within the Union-State framework.
The Defense Department has not disclosed the number of aircraft in this batch or the specific base that received them. However, the confirmation indicates that Belarus will continue to have brand new factory aircraft as part of a phased modernization program.
The delivery comes amid an increase in regional military activity along NATO’s eastern flank, where Belarusian and Russian forces regularly conduct air and land exercises. The Su-30SM2’s extended range, multi-role capabilities and advanced sensors enable operations throughout the airspace of Belarus and beyond, in support of both national and allied missions.
Source and images: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. Telegram @modmilby. This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editors.
