Recently Alexander Lukashenko at the meeting with Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in Minsk said: “We even in the most difficult times have always supported you and will support. […] So you can rely on Belarus and should know all we can, we always for Serbia will do”.
From words to real action Belarus moved quickly. On Sunday it became known that our country will give Serbia two divisions (12 SDAS) anti-aircraft missile systems “Buk” and two links (eight cars) multi-purpose fighter of fourth generation MiG-29. However, with one condition — Belgrade alone will pay for repairs and upgrades. About this gift in the night from Friday to Saturday was announced by the Minister of defence of Serbia Zoran Djordjevic, returning from a trip to Minsk. According to him, the equipment will be delivered to Serbia 2018.
“We are talking about the two divisions of the system “Buk” and about eight MiG-29 to be passed within the next year. Together with the aircraft, which will give Serbia Russia air defense system of Serbia will significantly increase”, — quotes the newspaper “Politika” the words of the Minister.
Cooperation details will be discussed in may this year, when provided by the establishment of a joint body for cooperation in the field of defence similar to those which already exist in Serbia with other countries. In this regard, the head of the military Department could not give an exact amount, which will manage the repair and modernization of “Beech” and MiGs.
Djordjevic also noted the great potential of the Serbian-Belarusian relations in the military-technical field and establishing joint projects in the defense industry with access to the markets of third countries. “Belarusian trucks and construction equipment would be interesting for the Serbian army. Is there the possibility of cooperation on the issue of repair and modernization of various weapons systems of Russian origin. Belarus is interested in rocket fuel and other products of our industry”, — said the Minister.
The Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic on January 26-27, visited Belarus. During the trip, he made his aforementioned meeting with Alexander Lukashenko, and Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov. The sides agreed to develop military-technical cooperation, and strive to increase the volume of mutual trade up to $ 500 million turnover.
Previously, the Agency TANJUG said that Serbia as support from Russia will receive a free six MiG-29 fighters, 30 tanks T-72 and 30 combat reconnaissance sentinel machines of BRDM-2. The modernization of aircraft will be carried out in three phases and will cost Serbia from 180 to 230 million euros. The meeting also discussed the issue of air defense systems “Buk-M1”, “Buk-M2” and anti-aircraft gun-missile complex “Tunguska”.
Thus, by the end of 2018, the year the armed forces of Serbia will receive 14 multi-role fighters of the fourth generation MiG-29, 30 T-72 tanks, 30 BRDM-2, and two battalions of the Buk missile system (includes 12 self-propelled fire units and about 15 pieces of support equipment) that will significantly strengthen the country’s defense. Earlier, the Belgrade has also signed a contract for the purchase of 9 H145M combat helicopters with Airbus Helicopters.
