Belarus has received another shipment of multipurpose Su-30SM2 fighter jets, which arrived at one of the country’s air bases, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus announced on January 29.
According to the ministry, the new planes are part of the ongoing modernization of the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces. The Su-30SM2 has previously entered service, and this shipment continues the delivery schedule of modernized fighters. The previous shipment was delivered last December.
The arrival of the planes was confirmed by Colonel Alexander Belyaev, Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, as well as the Head of the Air Force in an official statement of the Ministry.
“The main task of our pilots is to protect the airspace borders of the country. They are on the front line of defense,” said Belyaev. “The arrival of new aircraft is always a celebration for pilots. Flying a fighter that has just rolled out of the factory is an honor and a joy, but also a great responsibility.”
The officer added that the level of responsibility among the staff operating and maintaining the new machines is extremely high. “The sense of responsibility felt by Air Force personnel while working with this type of equipment is beyond all limits. We have no right to disappoint our people and our country. We will do everything to ensure that our beloved country remains peaceful and prosperous,” he said.
The Su-30SM2 is a modernized version of the Su-30SM with improvements in onboard electronics, radar systems and compatibility with the latest guided weapons. The fighter is designed for air superiority, escort, interception and attack missions 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 cooperation with Russia. The Su-30SM2 deliveries are under bilateral defense cooperation agreements and are intended to replace Soviet-origin fighters still in service with Belarusian units.
The Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces consider the Su-30SM family to be one of the cornerstones of national airspace protection. The aircraft are routinely used for air patrols, joint exercises with Russian forces and integrated air defense activities within the Union State.
The ministry did not say the number of planes in that shipment or which base received them. However, the confirmation indicates that Belarus will continue to receive factory new aircraft under the phased modernization program.
The delivery comes amid heightened regional military activity on NATO’s eastern flank, where Belarusian and Russian forces regularly conduct air and ground exercises. The Su-30SM2’s extended range, multifunctional capabilities and advanced sensors enable operations throughout the entire airspace of Belarus and beyond, supporting 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 editorial team.
