Belarusian Ministry of Defense may buy aircraft Yak-130 and helicopters of “Ansat” type from Russia

“We are considering the purchase of new aircraft models,” said Commander of Belarus Air Forces and Air Defense Forces Major-General Igor Azarionok in an interview with “Belorusskaya voennaya gazeta” (“Belarusian Military Newspaper”).

“We are considering the purchase of new aircraft models,” said Commander of Belarus Air Forces and Air Defense Forces Major-General Igor Azarionok in an interview with “Belorusskaya voennaya gazeta” (“Belarusian Military Newspaper”).

According to him, at present the issue of changing L-39 with modern training aircraft of Yak-130 type is being looked into. It is also planned to purchase Russian-made helicopters of “Ansat” type in order to train helicopter pilots. “But, I’d like to emphasize that it’s not a final decision yet. We are now carefully studying the market and offers of all the producers,” said the commander.

He informed that the ministry is also holding a tender among the producers of unmanned aircraft systems. It’s highly possible that the first one will be put into service by the end of this year.

“Air Forces and Air Defense Forces are being improved and developed taking into account world trends in the forms and methods of troops grouping, development and upgrading of arms and military equipment in accordance with the Plan of Formation and Development of Armed Forces for the years 2006-2010 as well as State Armament Program for 2006-2015,” stressed Igor Azarionok. For instance, in the near future Belarusian aviation is planned to be converted into the corps equipped with modern multi-purpose combat planes. It will have a rational structure and balanced war strength.