Belarus has received a new shipment of multi-purpose Su-30SM2 fighters, which have arrived at one of the country’s air bases, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced on January 29.
According to the ministry, the new aircraft are part of the ongoing process of re-equipping the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus. The Su-30SM2 had already entered service earlier, and this delivery continues the schedule for the transition to the modernized fighters. The previous shipment was delivered last December.
The arrival of the planes was confirmed by Deputy Chief of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces and Air Force Chief, Colonel Aleksandr Belyaev, in an official statement from the ministry.
“The primary duty of our pilots is to protect the country’s air borders. They are 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 rolled out of the factory is an honor and a pleasure, but it also comes with a great responsibility.”
The officer added that the level of responsibility among the staff responsible for the operation and maintenance of the new aircraft is extremely high. “The responsibility that air personnel feel when working with this equipment simply exceeds all limits. We have no right to disappoint our people and our country. We will do everything to ensure that our dear motherland remains peaceful and prosperous,” he declared.
The Su-30SM2 is a modernized version of the Su-30SM and incorporates advances in avionics, radar systems and compatibility with the latest guided weapons. Designed for air superiority, escort, interception and attack, the fighter 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 still operational Soviet fighters in the Belarusian units.
The Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus use the Su-30SM family as one of the cornerstones of the protection of the national airspace. The aircraft are routinely used for air patrols, joint exercises with Russian forces and integrated air defense activities within the framework of the Union State.
The Department of Defense has not released how many aircraft were delivered in this shipment, or which specific base received them. However, the confirmation shows that Belarus continues to receive factory-new aircraft as part of a phased modernization programme.
The delivery comes amid an increase in regional military activity along NATO’s eastern flank, where Belarusian and Russian forces regularly conduct air and ground exercises. The Su-30SM2’s long range, multi-role capabilities and advanced sensors enable operations throughout Belarus’ airspace and beyond, supporting both national and allied missions.
Source and images: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. Telegram @modmilby. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
