Russia to help Belarus build missiles – Lukashenko

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The Belarusian president says Minsk wants a weapon similar to Russia’s Iskander

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that his country will build a new missile system with Moscow’s help.

Speaking at a meeting with military officials, Lukashenko said he had been promised “full support” from Moscow in the development of a missile similar to those used in Russia’s Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems.

He added that the matter was discussed last month during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos.

“In my presence, President [Putin] told Rogozin to provide immediate support, so we wouldn’t build it from scratch but instead could use the experience of Russian missile experts who had built the Iskander.”

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Lukashenko said he had struck a deal with Moscow to purchase Iskander missiles, noting that Belarus would “keep” the Russian S-400 air defense missile system currently stationed in the country.

Iskander missiles are launched from mobile launchers and can strike targets at a range of up to 500km (310 miles). Russia has used the missiles in Syria and, most recently, during its military campaign in Ukraine.

The S-400 is one of the most advanced long-range air defense systems in the world, and is produced by Russian company Almaz-Antey. According to the specifications, it can hit targets at a range of up to 400km, depending on the type of missile.


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