Belarus reinforces its air defences with new Russian systems

The Belarusian Ministry of Defence officially announced the receipt of this valuable equipment from Russia. Several photos confirming the arrival of the transport with the components of the Tor-M2K air defence system battery in Belarus have also been shared online.

Belarusian Hajun, a group that monitors military activity, reports that the new equipment may be added to the arsenal of the 15th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian portal Militarnyj explains that the Tor-M2K air defence system battery includes four 9A331MK combat vehicles, a transport-loading vehicle, and a support vehicle.

On the pages of Militarnyj, it was also noted that the Belarusian version of the Tor-M2K uses a chassis developed and produced by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, a Belarusian manufacturer of heavy vehicles.

Regarding the combat capabilities of this complex, the Tor-M2K is an anti-aircraft system designed to destroy aeroplanes, helicopters, and other aerial vehicles, as well as missiles flying at medium and low altitudes. Most commonly, 9M9331 missiles with a range of about 11 kilometres are used here.

The Belarusian Ministry of Defence stated in a communiqué that "the systems can simultaneously hit 16 targets operating from any direction at a speed of up to 730 m/s (1633 mph), at a range of up to 12 km (7.45 miles) and an altitude of up to 10 km (6.21 miles), both day and night, in any weather conditions."

Belarus is systematically strengthening its army with such air defence systems. The seventh battery, which has now arrived from Russia, was reportedly developed considering the experiences Russians have gained from the war in Ukraine. However, no details about this have been provided.