Belarusian Air Force

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Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Republic of Belarus
Belarusian Air Force badge.svg
Badge of the Belarusian Air Force
Founded15 June 1992; 29 years ago (1992-06-15)
Country Belarus
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Part ofArmed Forces of Belarus
Anniversaries16 August: Air Force Day
Commanders
Commander-in-chiefPresident Alexander Lukashenko
Minister of DefenseLieutenant General Viktor Khrenin
Commander of the Air ForceMajor General Igor Golub[1]
Insignia
RoundelRoundel of Belarus.svg
Fin flashFlag of Belarus.svg
FlagFlag of Belarusian Air Force.svg
Aircraft flown
AttackSu-25
FighterMiG-29, Su-30
HelicopterMil Mi-8, Mil Mi-26
Attack helicopterMil Mi-24
TrainerL-39C, Yak-130
TransportIl-76, An-26

The 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.[2]

History[]

Soviet era[]

On 5 May 1942, on the basis of the Air Forces of the Western Front, the 1st Air Army was created.[3] By General Staff order of 10 January 1949, the Army became the 26th Air Army (ГШ ВС СССР No. ОРГ 120026). In 1980, the 26th Air Army was redesignated the Air Forces of the Belorussian Military District (ГШ ВС СССР 1980 года No. 314/1/00170). On 1 May 1988, in accordance with the Ministry of Defence of the USSR's Decree No. 0018, the Air Forces of the District were again renamed the 26th Air Army. On 15 June 1992, by decree No. 05 of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, the headquarters of the 26th Air Army became the headquarters of the Air Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Aircraft operated by the 26th Air Army and 2nd Air Defence Army, prior to the collapse of the USSR, included the MiG-23, MiG-25, and the Sukhoi Su-22.[4][5][6][7]

Independence and establishment[]

The Belarusian air force (26th Air Army and 2nd Air Defence Army) may have begun existence with six major flying regiments: two interceptor, three strike, and a reconnaissance regiment.[citation needed] In January 1992, the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Regiment at , Brest Oblast (Military Unit Number 55782) (ru:927-й истребительный авиационный полк) became part of the Air Force of Belarus. In 1993 or 1994, it was renamed as the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base.[8]

In accordance with an edict of the President of Belarus in 2001, the Air Force (VVS) and Air Defence Troops were created as one of the arms of the Armed Forces of Belarus.

Commanders-in-Chief[]

List of Commanders of the Air and Air Defence Forces:

  • Major General Igor Golub (since 31 August 2017)[9]

Mission and functions[]

The VVS and Air Defence Forces were 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. The Air Force is responsible for all military aviation, as the Army maintains no aircraft of its own.

Organization[]

Prior to August 2010, there were six primary airbases:

On 26 August 2010, a reorganisation of the Air Force & Air Defence Force was announced.[15] It was reported that the 206th Assault Aviation Base (Lida) would be reorganized into the 116th Guards Red Banner Assault Base (at Ross) – formerly named the 116th Guards Bomber-Reconnaissance Base, flying Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" and Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" aircraft. The Su-24 bombers were retired. The 206th Assault Aviation Base was reorganised as the 206th Training Center. The Mikoyan MiG-29 "Fulcrum" aircraft and personnel of the 927th Fighter Base (at Bereza) became part of the 61st Fighter Base at Baranovichi. Shortly after the move of MiG-29s to Baranovichi, on 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 crashed during a reported low-altitude flying exercise at the new location (see below). On 24 August 2010, the 927th Konigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base at Bereza was renamed the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Training Center and the use of unmanned aircraft systems.

The air force consists of more than 18,170 personnel, though this number is being reduced.[citation needed] There are now four active airbases:[16]

The Belarusian Air Force maintains close links with the Russian Air Force and defense industry.[23][24][25][26]

Incidents and accidents[]

Belarusian jets during a flypast in Minsk, July 2019.

On 30 August 2009, a Su-27 UBM aircraft crashed on the second day of the Air Show 2009 in Radom killing both pilots.[27][28][29][30] 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.[31][32] On 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed.[33][34][35] 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, there was "thick fog.. the previous evening."[36][37][38]

On 12 June 2012, a Sukhoi 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.[39] [40] He was ordered to eject, but instead remained on board to make sure the aircraft did not crash into the village.[40] Lt Col Gridnyov died in the crash. On 11 November 2014, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed.[41] On 23 February 2017, another MiG-29 aircraft crashed. The engine caught fire during takeoff, but the pilot ejected safely at Bobruisk, Mogilev Region. On 19 May 2021, a Yakovlev Yak-130 aircraft crashed in Baranavichy, causing minor damage to one house in the city. Two pilots ejected but died.[42]

Intercept of Ryanair Flight 4978[]

Main article: Ryanair Flight 4978

On 23 May 2021, Irish Ryanair Flight FR4978 (Athens—Vilnius) was intercepted by a Belarusian MIG-29 prior to crossing into Lithuanian airspace and diverted to Minsk National Airport. In Minsk, the Belarusian opposition activist and journalist Roman Protasevich was removed from the plane and arrested. Protasevich had previously fled Belarus and the Belarusian authorities added him to a wanted list in 2020 after he helped organize major protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. His partner was also arrested.[43][44] According to the national press service of Belarus, the Belarusian Air Force MiG-29 fighter was sent to escort the aircraft to Minsk on the orders of Lukashenko.[43][45][46]

Symbols[]

Emblem[]

The heraldic sign is the emblem of the Air Force, which was approved by the decree on April 22, 2003. It is a stylized golden image of an arrow, lightning bolts and wings, combined with a wreath of golden oak and laurel branches, located in the center of a blue baroque shield, crowned with a five-pointed gold star. The shield is located against the background of a silver medal star.[47]

Flag[]

The flag of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces was approved on January 19, 2005. The flag is a rectangular blue cloth, with the center consisting of four main and four additional directions of eight rays of golden color. In the center is the emblem of the Air Force. The flag has the same pattern on the front and back sides.[48]

Belaya Rus[]

Main article: Belaya Rus (demonstration team)

Belaya Rus is the aerobatic team of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces, performing aerobatics from combat training Aero L-39 Albatros. The team performs at aviation event and public holidays in Belarus.

Aircraft[]

Current inventory[]

A Belarusian Su-25 in flight
A Belarusian Ilyushin Il-76MD taking off from Beijing Capital International Airport in 2021
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-29 Russia multirole 39[49] 13 upgraded to MiG-29BM in 2004[50]
Sukhoi Su-25 Russia attack / CAS 68[49]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia fighter 4 8 on order[49]
Transport
Ilyushin Il-76 Russia strategic airlifter 2[49]
Antonov An-26 Ukraine transport 2[49]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Russia utility / transport 36[49]
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack 21 4 on order[49]
Mil Mi-26 Russia transport 4[49]
Trainer Aircraft
Yak-130 Russia advanced trainer 11[49][51]
Aero L-39 Czech Republic jet trainer 10[49]
Mil Mi-2 Poland rotorcraft trainer 8[49]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia conversion fighter 1[49]

Retired aircraft[]

Aircraft operated by the Air Force, inherited at the dissolution of the Soviet Union were the, MiG-23, MiG-25, Sukhoi Su-22, and the Sukhoi Su-27.[52][5][53][54][55]

References[]

  1. ^ "Лукашенко назначил командующего ВВС и ПВО Беларуси" [Lukashenko has appointed commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense]. news.tut.by (in Belarusian). 31 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  2. ^ "The Military Balance 2014". Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, February 05, 2014.
  3. ^ Belarusian Ministry of Defence, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2008-07-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), accessed 22 May 2008
  4. ^ "Belarus restores Su-24s, but for whom?". AIRheads↑FLY. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Белоруссия отказалась от бомбардировщиков Су-24". 21 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-03-22. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
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  7. ^ "bmpd". 2012-12-15. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  8. ^ Michael Holm (2015). "927th Kenigsbergskiy Red Banner order of Aleksandr Nevskiy Fighter Aviation Regiment". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991 Organisation and order of battle. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Голуб Игорь Владимирович — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь". www.mil.by. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  10. ^ "Belarus Returns MIG-29 Alert Fighters to Machulischi". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Russia Deploys First Fighter Jets to Belarus". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Russian QRA Fighters & A-50 at Baranovichi". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Angola, Sudan, & Belarus' 558th Aircraft Repair Plant". Open Source IMINT. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Belarusian Baranavichy will be Russian fighter home". AIRheads↑FLY. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Belarus Base Realignment and Closure". . 12 December 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c https://www.scramble.nl/orbats/belarus, accessed April 2020.
  17. ^ "Russia ready to establish air base in Baranavichy - Charter'97: News from Belarus - Minsk". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014. and "Lukashenko inspects 61st fighter airbase". Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Belarus Phases Out Russian Warplanes, Radars". Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  19. ^ "Belarusian Air Force Base, Lida". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  20. ^ "Russia to Open Airbase in Belarus Within Months". Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. ^ "Russian Fighter Jets to Deploy to Belarus by Year End – Minister". Archived from the original on 2014-08-31. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  22. ^ "Сайт Берёзовской районной газеты Маяк". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014. and "Россь: мы уходим, уходим, уходим… (фото и видео)". Волковыск.BY. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Defence Statistics 2013" Archived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine August 1, 2013
  25. ^ "Defence Statistics 2014" Archived 2017-10-19 at Archive-It May 15, 2014
  26. ^ http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2019/0523/101552496/detail.shtml
  27. ^ "Funeral for two Air Force pilots in Baranavichy -". Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  28. ^ "BelaPAN. In pictures: Funeral for two Air Force pilots in Baranavichy". Archived from the original on 2014-12-09. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  29. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-08-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. ^ "Belarus to modernize its fleet of Sukhoi Su-27 jet fighter". January 31, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  31. ^ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 21-APR-2010 MiG-29 Fulcrum". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 23-SEP-2010 MiG-29UB 63". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  34. ^ "Two pilots killed in fighter jet crash in western Belarus". Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  35. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2013-08-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. ^ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 29-NOV-2011 Mil Mi-24 01 white". Archived from the original on 2014-10-30. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  37. ^ "Military helicopter crashes in Pruzhany killing crew - Charter'97 :: News from Belarus - Belarusian News - Republic of Belarus - Minsk". Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  38. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-24. Retrieved 2011-12-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ^ Harro Ranter. "ASN Aircraft accident 12-JUN-2012 Sukhoi Su-25". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  40. ^ Jump up to: a b "Su-25 Fighter Jet Crashes in Belarus". Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  41. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-08-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. ^ В Барановичах упал учебно-боевой самолет Як-130. Погибли двое летчиков
  43. ^ Jump up to: a b Belarus opposition says government forced Ryanair plane to land to arrest journalist
  44. ^ У аэрапорце Мінска, рэзка змяніўшы курс, прызямліўся самалёт Афіны—Вільня — на борце быў Раман Пратасевіч
  45. ^ На борту самолета, экстренно посаженного в Минске, был Роман Протасевич
  46. ^ У аэрапорце "Мінск" затрыманы блогера Раман Пратасевіч
  47. ^ Указ Президента Республики Беларусь от 22 апреля 2003 г. № 163
  48. ^ Указ Президента Республики Беларусь от 19 января 2005 г. № 17
  49. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l "World Air Forces 2021". Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Музей авиационной техники-Боровая". museum.ucoz.ru. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  51. ^ В Барановичах упал учебно-боевой самолет Як-130. Погибли двое летчиков
  52. ^ "Belarus restores Su-24s, but for whom?". AIRheads↑FLY. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  53. ^ "Belarus' Su-27 fighter jets will probably be retired, defense minister say". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  54. ^ "bmpd". 2012-12-15. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  55. ^ "Belarus Phases Out Russian Warplanes, Radars". Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. 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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