We need nuclear warheads to arm our missiles – Belarus

Belarus says it is examining ways to boost its missile production, including plans to potentially fit its Polonez rocket launcher systems with nuclear warheads, a senior security official confirmed on Thursday.

President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, told a meeting on weapons manufacturing that Minsk must accelerate efforts to modernize its arsenal.”The dynamics of military threats and the significant increase in military spending by our western neighbours force us to constantly pay close attention to the issue of the defence capabilities of Belarus, Russia, and our Union,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying by state media.

Belarus borders NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia to the west and north, and Ukraine to the south. Although the country does not have its own nuclear weapons, it hosts Russian tactical warheads controlled by Moscow.

Alexander Volfovich, secretary of Belarus’ State Security Council, said the Polonez system — jointly developed with China and in service since 2016 — is being reviewed for possible nuclear capability.”Today, it is a state-of-the art system,” Volfovich told the Belta news agency. “Questions are already being raised about equipping these missiles with nuclear warheads.”

The current launcher range has been extended to 300 km (185 miles), up from 200 km. Volfovich also revealed that Belarus is studying how to integrate Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile technology into a new “joint missile.”

Belarus’ defence minister has announced that upcoming military exercises with Moscow will include drills using the Oreshnik, which Russia has already deployed against Ukraine.”Issues related to increasing our power and our defence capabilities are very important,” Volfovich added.

Belarus also recently pledged to strengthen its defence ties with Iran while continuing weapons cooperation with China.

(REUTERS)