Belarus officially receives the S-400 air defense missile system from Russia

Belarus has reportedly officially received an unspecified number of S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia. As reported by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) on June 3, 2023 and confirmed by the Ministry of Defense of Belarus.

The move is part of ongoing efforts to improve the air defense capabilities of Belarus, Russia’s closest ally.

Russia and Belarus have a longstanding defense relationship, which was formalized through the “Union State” agreement.

This political and economic union serves as a framework for extensive military cooperation between the two countries.

The two countries carried out joint military exercises in which Russia has several military facilities on the territory of Belarus.

The delivery of Russian military equipment to Belarus, such as the S-400 air defense system, is part of broader bilateral military cooperation. The goal is to enhance collective defense capabilities and respond to perceived threats.

Regarding the S-400, it is one of the most advanced long-range missile defense systems in the world.

The S-400 was developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau in Russia in the 1990s. The system has the ability to intercept and destroy air targets at a distance of up to 400 km and can hit targets at an altitude of up to 30 km.

The S-400 is capable of tracking 100 targets simultaneously and engaging up to 36 targets simultaneously.