View source for Armed Forces of Belarus

{{short description|Combined military forces of Belarus}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2023}}{{Infobox national military
| name               = Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus 
| native_name        = {{native name|be|Узброеныя сілы Рэспублікі Беларусь}}<br />{{native name|ru|Вооружённые силы Республики Беларусь}}
| image              = Emblem_of_the_Armed_Forces_of_Belarus.svg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Emblem of the Belarusian defense ministry
| image2             = Flag of the Armed Forces of Belarus.svg{{!}}border
| alt2               = 
| caption2           = Flag
| motto              =
| founded            = 1992
| branches           = {{ubl|{{army|Belarus}}|{{air force|Belarus}}|{{flagicon image|Flag of the Belarusian Special Operations Forces.svg}} [[Special Operations Forces (Belarus)|Special Operations Forces]]|[[Belarusian Transport Troops]]|[[Territorial Defense Troops of Belarus|Territorial Defense Troops]]}}
| headquarters       = [[Ministry of Defence (Belarus)|Defense Ministry]], [[Minsk]], Belarus
| flying_hours       =
| website            = {{URL|https://www.mil.by/}}
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Belarus.svg|size=23px}} [[Alexander Lukashenko]] 
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Belarus|President]]
| chief minister     =
| chief minister_title =
| minister           = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Armed Forces of Belarus.svg|size=23px}} Lieutenant General [[Viktor Khrenin]]
| minister_title     = [[Defence Ministry of Belarus|Minister of Defense]]
| commander          = {{flagicon image|Flag of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus.svg|size=23px}} Major General [[Pavel Muraveiko]]
| commander_title    = [[Chief of the General Staff (Belarus)|Chief of the General Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                =
| conscription       =Yes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/03/14/7393318/ | title=Belarus announces draft for military training in March }}</ref>
| manpower_data      =
| manpower_age       = 18 years
| available          =
| available_f        =
| fit                =
| fit_f              =
| reaching           =
| reaching_f         =
| active             = 63,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://belarmy.by/lenta-novostei/v-belorusskoj-armii-sluzhit-62-tysyachi-chelovek|title=В белорусской армии служит 62 тысячи человек|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224003002/http://belarmy.by/lenta-novostei/v-belorusskoj-armii-sluzhit-62-tysyachi-chelovek|archive-date=2014-12-24|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nationsencyclopedia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Belarus-ARMED-FORCES.html|title=Armed forces - Belarus|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028115849/http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Belarus-ARMED-FORCES.html|archive-date=2014-10-28|url-status=live}}</ref> 
| ranked             =
| reserve            = 365,400(2021)
| deployed           = 
| amount             = US$876.4 million (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://countryeconomy.com/government/expenditure/defence/belarus |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140627163934/http://countryeconomy.com/government/expenditure/defence/belarus |archive-date= June 27, 2014 |title= Belarus - Government Defence expenditure |access-date=2018-05-17 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| percent_GDP        = 1.2% (2022)
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = Belarusian Plant of Precision Electromechanic<br />Kalashnikov
| foreign_suppliers  = {{IRN}}<br />{{CHN}}<br />{{RUS}}<br>{{POL}} (1991–1995)
| imports            =
| exports            =
<!-- Related articles -->
| history            = 
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Belarus]]
}}

[[File:Armed Forces of Belarus in 2021 (en).png|thumb|390px|right|Map showing main military units of the Belarusian Armed Forces{{legend|red|[[Belarusian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]]}}{{legend|aqua|[[Belarusian Air Force|Air and Air Defence Forces]]}}{{legend|blue|[[Special Operations Forces (Belarus)|Special Forces]]}}{{legend|#009245|[[Belarusian Transport Troops|Transport Troops]]}}]]

The '''Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus'''{{efn|{{bulletedlist|{{Langx|be|Узброеныя сілы Рэспублікі Беларусь (УС РБ)|Uzbrojenyja siły Respubliki Biełaruś (US RB)}}|{{Langx|ru|Вооруженные силы Республики Беларусь|Vooružennyje sily Respubliki Belarusj}}}}}} are the military forces of [[Belarus]]. It consists of the [[Belarusian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]] and the [[Belarusian Air Force|Air Force and Air Defence Forces]], all under the command of the [[Ministry of Defence (Belarus)|Ministry of Defence]]. As a [[landlocked country]], Belarus has no [[navy]]; however, the Belarusian military does have control over some small Soviet inherited naval vessels in its rivers and lakes.

In 2017,{{update needed|date=August 2025}} [[International Institute for Strategic Studies|IISS]] estimated that personnel in the armed forces numbered 49,000, and nearly 350,000 reserves. Most soldiers are [[conscripts]] serving for a period of 18 months, although there is an alternative service option. The Belarusian military still holds many Soviet military laws and holds high numbers of reserve personnels as a high priority.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|date=2017|title=The Military Balance 2017|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tmib20/current|journal=The Military Balance|volume=117|pages=203–204|url-access=subscription |via=[[Taylor and Francis]]}}</ref>

Belarus conducted military reforms in the early 2000s which reshaped its armed forces as a relatively effective force for a small state in somewhat difficult economic conditions.{{sfn|Main|2003}} Since the 2010s the Belarusian military has been more closely integrated with the [[Russian Armed Forces]], with strategic and operational level exercises placing the ground and special forces of Belarus under Russia's [[1st Guards Tank Army]], and the air and air defense forces under the [[6th Air and Air Defence Forces Army]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muzyka |first=Konrad |title=The Belarusian Armed Forces: Structures, Capabilities, and Defence Relations with Russia |date=August 2021 |publisher=International Centre for Defence and Security |url=https://icds.ee/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Belarusian-Armed-Forces.pdf }}</ref>

==History==
{{main|Military history of Belarus}}
[[File:Жаўнеры Беларускага асобнага батальёна са сцягам.jpg|thumb|left|Soldiers of the Belarusian Battalion within the [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]] 1919]]
The [[Belarusian People's Republic]] of March 1918 to April<ref>Гісторыя Беларусі (у кантэксце сусветных цывілізацый). — Менск, 2005. С. 323—324.</ref> 1919 did not have time to create [[armed forces]] in its brief existence, largely due to heavy restrictions imposed on it by the [[Central Powers]] during the [[German occupation of Byelorussia during World War I|German occupation of the country]],<ref name=ehb386>А. М. Сідарэвіч. Беларуская Народная Рэспубліка // [[:be:Энцыклапедыя гісторыі Беларусі|ЭГБ]] С. 386</ref> although attempts to create a military have been documented.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radabnr.org/en/bibliographyen.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927162702/http://www.radabnr.org/en/bibliographyen.htm|url-status=dead|title=Selected Bibliography of works on the struggle for Belarusian Independence 1900–1921 in the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library in London|archive-date=September 27, 2013|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> Military formations of the exiled [[Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic|Belarusian Rada]] served in [[Poland]], [[Ukraine]], and the [[Baltics]] fighting against the [[Bolsheviks]].<ref>А. Дзярабін, Р. Паласіёс-Фернандэс. «Грамадзянская вайна ў Расіі 1917—1922. Нацыянальныя войскі». АСТ, 2000 г.</ref><ref>Алег Латышонак. «Жаўнеры БНР». 2009 г.</ref><ref>Чупрынаў, А. Г. [http://mirknig.com/knigi/military_history/1181427461-krah-antisovetskogo-banditizma-v-belorussii-v-1918-1925-godah.html Крах антысавецкага бандытызму ў Беларусі ў 1918—1925 гадах] / А. Г. Чупрынаў. — Мінск : Беларусь, 1981. — 173 з.</ref><ref>[http://pawet.net/library/history/bel_history/_bnr/00198/%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BA%D1%96%D1%8F_%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8B%D1%8F_%D1%84%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%96_%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B1._%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%8B%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D1%96%D0%BC_%D1%84%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B5.html  С. К. Беларускія вайсковыя фармаваньні на б. румынскім фронце // Крывіч № 2. 1923. С. 41-44. ] // на pawet.net</ref>

Until 1991, the Soviet [[Belorussian Military District]] comprised the [[5th Guards Tank Army]] (HQ Bobruisk), the [[7th Tank Army]] (HQ Borisov), the [[28th Army (Soviet Union)|28th Army]] (HQ Grodno), the [[120th Guards Mechanised Brigade|120th Guards Motor Rifle Division]], the [[72nd Guards Joint Training Centre|72nd Guards District Training Center]] and logistical units and formations. Additionally, the Belorussian SSR hosted the [[103rd Guards Airborne Division]], the [[38th Guards Mobile Brigade|38th Guards Airborne Brigade]], the 11th Air Defence Corps of the [[2nd Air Defence Army]], and the [[26th Air Army]], as well as units and formations of the [[Strategic Rocket Forces]], [[Soviet Long Range Aviation|Long Range Aviation]], the Navy, and special forces.

In late 1991 the 5th Guards Tank Army comprised the [[55th Guards Rifle Division|30th Guards Motor Rifle Division]], newly arrived [[Central Group of Forces|from Czechoslovakia]], and the [[193rd Tank Division]], plus two armament and equipment storage bases (the former 8th Guards and 29th Tank Divisions), and army troops. The 7th Tank Army comprised the [[3rd Guards Tank Division]], [[34th Tank Division|34th]], and [[37th Guards Tank Division]]s, plus army troops. The 28th Army comprised two divisions, the 6th Guards Tank and 50th Guards Motor Rifle, the 6314th Equipment Storage Base at [[Slonim]], and the 5356th Base for Storage of Weapons and Equipment, formerly a low-status mobilisation division.<ref>Michael Holm, [https://www.ww2.dk/new/army/td/76td.htm 76th Tank Division]</ref> Also arriving from the [[Southern Group of Forces]] in Hungary was the [[19th Guards Tank Division]].

On September 20, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Belarus passed resolution "On the formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus" and on January 11, 1992, resolution "On the Armed Forces deployed in the territory of the Republic of Belarus." On March 18, 1992, the parliament passed resolution "On the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus" that bound the government "to start the formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus as of March 20, 1992" and "to submit to the Supreme Soviet for approval the suggested structure of the Armed Forces, their size and order of their material and technical supplies".

On May 6, 1992, the [[Belorussian Military District]] was abolished. The Belarusian Ministry of Defence and the Main Staff were formed from its resources.<ref>I N Rodionov, ed, Belorusskiy voyennyy okrug, Military Encyclopedia, t1, "Voyennoye izdatel'stvo", Moscow, 1997, 422, cited in Main, 2003, 6.</ref> The former first deputy commander and military district Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Pavel Kozlovskiy, was appointed Minister of Defence on 22 April 1992, taking over from acting Minister of Defence Colonel-General Petr Chaus. On 8 September 1992, the Minsk Higher Military Engineering School and the Minsk Higher Military Command School (now the unified [[Military Academy of Belarus]]) were the first to take the military oath of allegiance to the armed forces, with their induction ceremony being held on [[Independence Square, Minsk|Independence Square]] in the presence of defense minister Kozlovskii.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/_lMs_c10EUc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200505211922/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lMs_c10EUc Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lMs_c10EUc| title = Присяга на Площади Независимости! Минск 06 сентября 1992 г. | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2017/9/8/262281/|title = День, когда Площадь была заполнена солнцем и народом}}</ref> This was done to commemorate anniversary of the Lithuanian-Polish victory at the [[Battle of Orsha]], which was considered to be a Day of Belarusian Military Glory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2017/9/8/262248/|title = Белорусские офицеры присягнули на верность Родине}}</ref>

On August 17, 1992, personnel from the [[United States Department of Defense]] made a [[Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty]] inspection of an installation in Urechye (near Minsk). The 969th Central Base for Reserve Tanks, and two elements of the [[30th Guards Motor Rifle Division]]: the 30th Guards Tank Regiment and the 20th independent Reconnaissance Battalion were the three units at the site.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Harahan |first1=Joseph P. |last2=Kuhn |first2=John C. |title=On-Site Inspections Under the CFE Treaty, A History of the On-Site Inspection Agency and CFE Treaty Implementation, 1990-1996 (Chapter 6) |url=https://nuke.fas.org/control/cfe/cfebook/ch6f.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=nuke.fas.org}}</ref>

On November 3, 1992, Belarus passed the law "On the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus" defining the status, structure and guiding principles of the Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web|author=Pavel Bykovsky & Alexander Vasilevich|title=Military Development and the Armed Forces of Belarus |url=http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/5-2001/dp/mdafb/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205143656/http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/5-2001/dp/mdafb/ |archive-date=2007-12-05}}, Moscow Defence Brief, CAST, 2007</ref> After the introduction of presidency the law was amended twice: on September 4, 1996, and on November 9, 1999, but on the whole the law retains its initial contents.

On January 1, 1993, all service personnel on Belarusian soil were required to either take an [[oath of loyalty]] to Belarus, or leave. This oath however did not alleviate concerns regarding loyalty to Russia in time of crisis, especially since nearly 50% of all military personnel were ethnically Russian in the end of 1992.

In June 1995, President Alexander Lukashenko issued a decree on the Mobile Forces. By June 1996, they comprised a headquarters in Vitebsk, two brigades drawn from the 103rd Guards Airborne Division, the 38th Independent Mobile Brigade ([[Brest, Belarus]]), an air transport regiment, and communications, logistics, and engineer units.<ref>Richard Woff, 'Minsk: making limited progress with reform,' [[Jane's Intelligence Review]], June 1996, 248.</ref>

Membership in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], as well as the 1996 treaty on the [[Union of Russia and Belarus]] and the Treaty of the Formation of a Union State in 1999, confirmed a close partnership with Russia. Much of the air defence system was integrated into the Russian air defence network, and in 2006 the two nations signed an agreement on the creation of a unified air defence system.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2006/russia-061019-rianovosti02.htm Russia, Belarus to sign agreement on joint air defence system] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212071536/http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2006/russia-061019-rianovosti02.htm |date=2009-02-12 }}, [[RIA Novosti]] via GlobalSecurity.org, 19 October 2006.</ref>

==Structure==
Belarus government websites say that the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus is supported by Central Command Support Elements and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.mil.by/struct1vseng.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502013106/http://mod.mil.by/struct1vseng.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 May 2006|title=Ministry of Defence of RB - News|access-date=23 December 2014}}</ref>
Combat Support Elements of the Armed Forces included Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare, Signals, Engineer, NBC Defence, Navigation and Topography, and Maintenance organisations. Logistic Elements of the Armed Forces provided Material Support, Logistic Support, Medical Support, Veterinarian Support, and Military Construction.

In 1995 the Military Academy of Belarus was set up on the basis of two military educational institutions – the Minsk Air Defence and Rocket School of the [[Soviet Air Defence Forces]] and the Minsk Higher Military Command School. Its 10 departments train officers of 38 specialties for practically all arms of service. Also in 1995 it was given the status of a government institution of secondary special military education for young men.

=== Branches ===

====Ground Forces====
{{Location map many | Belarus
| width = 390
| float = right
| caption = {{center|Combat brigades of Belarus<br />''Source [https://web.archive.org/web/20120417044140/http://www.ryadovoy.ru/forum/index.php/topic,406.0.html]''}}
| label = <small>[[Grodno|6th Mech Bde]]</small>
  | marksize = 8
  | pos = right
  | bg = white
  | lat_deg = 53 | lat_min = 40
  | lon_deg = 23 | lon_min = 50
| label2 = <small>[[11th Guards Mechanized Brigade|11th Mech Bde]]</small>
  | mark2size = 8
  | pos2 = right
  | bg2 = white
  | lat2_deg = 53 | lat2_min = 05
  | lon2_deg = 25 | lon2_min = 19
| label3 = <small>[[Minsk|120th Mech Bde]]</small>
  | mark3size = 8
  | pos3 = left
  | bg3 = white
  | lat3_deg = 53 | lat3_min = 54
  | lon3_deg = 27 | lon3_min = 34
| label4 = <small>[[Polotsk|103rd Mobile Bde]]</small>
  | mark4 = Blue pog.svg
  | mark4size = 8
  | pos4 = left
  | bg4 = white
  | lat4_deg = 55 | lat4_min = 29
  | lon4_deg = 28 | lon4_min = 48
| label5 = <small>[[Brest, Belarus|38th Mobile Bde]]</small>
  | mark5size = 8
  | mark5 = Blue pog.svg
  | pos5 = right
  | bg5 = white
  | lat5_deg = 52 | lat5_min = 08
  | lon5_deg = 23 | lon5_min = 40
| label6 = <small>[[Maryina Horka|5th Spetsnaz Bde]]</small>
  | mark6size = 8
  | mark6 = Black pog.svg
  | pos6 = right
  | bg6 = white
  | lat6_deg = 53 | lat6_min = 30
  | lon6_deg = 28 | lon6_min = 09}}
A [[Library of Congress]] study of national ground forces said that in 1994 Belarus had ground forces of 52,500.<ref name=LOCB>[[Library of Congress Country Studies]], [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field%28DOCID+by0067%29 Ground Forces], in A Country Study: Belarus, June 1995</ref> They were organized into three corps headquarters, two motor divisions, one airborne division, the [[51st Guards Artillery Brigade (Belarus)|51st Guards Artillery Division]] at [[Osipovichi]],<ref>Feskov et al. 2004, 53, with five artillery brigades and two independent battalions.</ref> three mechanized divisions, one airborne brigade, three surface-to-surface missile brigades,<ref>Including the 43rd ([[OTR-21 Tochka]]) and 76th (8 НУ 9КЛг) Rocket Brigades at Zaslonovo, probably.</ref> two antitank brigades, one special duties brigade, and seven anti-aircraft missile brigades. Equipment included 3,108 main battle tanks (seventy-nine T-54, 639 T-55, 291 T-62, 299 T-64, eight T-80, and 1,800 T-72), 419 medium-range launchers, sixty surface to-surface missiles, and 350 surface-to-air missiles.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In 1993 the 7th Tank Army was reorganised as the 7th Army Corps. In 1994 the 7th Army Corps was redesignated as the 65th Army Corps, still located at [[Barysaw|Borisov]].

By January 1, 1995, the composition of the Belarusian ground forces had changed.<ref name=LOCB /> The Library of Congress study estimated at the time that Ministry of Defence forces included the [[103rd Guards Airborne Division]] and the [[38th Guards Mobile Brigade|38th Separate Assault-Landing Brigade]]; the [[28th Army (Soviet Union)|28th Army Corps]] ([[Grodno Region]] and [[Brest Region]]), composed of headquarters at [[Grodno]], the [[6th Guards Kiev-Berlin Mechanised Brigade]], the [[11th Guards Mechanized Brigade|11th Guards Mechanised Brigade]], the 50th Separate Mechanised Infantry Brigade, the Armament and Equipment base, and corps units (missile troops, antiaircraft, chemical and engineer troops, signals, and rear services); the [[65th Army (Soviet Union)|65th Army Corps]] (Minsk and [[Vitebsk Region]]s), composed of headquarters at [[Barysaw|Borisov]], three armament and equipment bases, and corps units; and the 5th Guards Army Corps (Minsk and Mahilyow regions) made up of headquarters at Babruysk, the 30th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, two Armament and Equipment bases, and corps units.

Actually, the 103rd Guards Airborne Division had been reorganized as Headquarters, Mobile Forces, in 1993.
On 1 August 1996 the 51st Guards Artillery Division was reorganised as the 51st Guards Central Group of Artillery, still located at [[Osipovichi]].<ref>Soldat.ru, [https://www.soldat.ru/force/belarus/spravki.html Brigades of the Belarus Armed Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117204708/http://soldat.ru/force/belarus/spravki.html |date=2013-01-17 }}, accessed December 2012.</ref>

On 21 December 2001, a major reorganisation of the Ground Forces produced two operational-territorial commands, formed from two former corps headquarters.{{sfn|Main|2003}} All Belarus ground forces were now grouped within these two commands, the [[Western Operational Command (Belarus)|Western Operational Command]] at [[Grodno]], former from the previous 28th Army Corps, the former Soviet [[28th Army (Soviet Union)|28th Army]], and the [[North Western Operational Command]], the former 65th Army Corps, at [[Barysaw]] (Borisov).

Since about 2001, territorial defence forces, which as of 2002 number around 150,000, have been forming, organised into battalions, companies, and platoons spread across Belarus.{{sfn|Main|2003}}

In 2007, the Land Forces consisted of 29,600 soldiers ([[6th Guards Kiev-Berlin Mechanised Brigade|6th Guards Mechanised Brigade]] ([[Grodno]]), [[11th Guards Mechanized Brigade]] at [[Slonim]], the [[120th Guards Mechanised Brigade]] ([[Minsk]]), 38th and 103rd Mobile Brigades (organized similarly to Soviet airborne regiments, not all of them are equipped with [[BMD-1]])),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ryadovoy.ru/forum/index.php/topic,406.0.html |title= Вооруженные силы Республики Беларусь|website=www.ryadovoy.ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417044140/http://www.ryadovoy.ru/forum/index.php/topic%2C406.0.html |archive-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> [[5th Spetsnaz Brigade]] ([[Maryina Horka]]),<ref>Formed [[Maryina Gorka]], Minsk Oblast, 1 January 1963as the 5th Special Forces Brigade GRU. Two battalions. On 3.4.78 renamed 5th independent Special Forces Brigade GRU. Took the oath of allegiance to Belarus on 31 December 1992. Michael Holm, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/gru/5obrsn.htm 5th independent Special Forces Brigade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202120137/http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/gru/5obrsn.htm |date=2014-02-02 }}, accessed 2014.</ref> five artillery brigades and four regiments, two MRL regiments, 15th, 29th, 115th, 120th and 302nd SAM Brigades, two SSM brigades, two brigades and one regiment of engineers, 8th independent NBC Brigade, two signals brigades, 40th independent NBC battalion. Army equipment includes 1800 main battle tanks (MBT) and 2600 AFV/APC.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} The weapons and equipment storage bases include the 50th (Brest), 19th,<ref>One of the equipment storage bases is the 19th, the former 19th Guards Tank Division at Zaslonovo in the [[Lepiel]] region. On October 1, 2003, the base was considerably strengthened. From other bases of storage of arms and techniques now we are distinguished favorably by new structure. Besides a battalion of protection, storage and service, motor-rifle and tank battalions were added. {{cite web|url=http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/belorussia%5Cbelorusia.htm |title=Force _sng |access-date=2008-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513075011/http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/belorussia/belorusia.htm |archive-date=2008-05-13 }}.</ref> [[34th Tank Division|34th]] & [[37th Guards Tank Division|37th]] (former tank divisions), [[3rd Guards Tank Division|3rd]], and 28th ([[Baranovichi]]). Weapons storage bases that have been disbanded include the 29th, 30th, [[193rd Tank Division|193rd]], and the storage base that used to be the 8th Guards Tank Division at [[Marina Gorka]].

In 2012 it was reported that there were six mechanised brigades in the Ground Forces: three full-strength, the 6th (Grodno), 11th (Slonim), and [[120th Guards Mechanised Brigade]] at [[Minsk]]. The others were at reduced strength, where there was one battalion, the 19th (Zaslonova), 37th, and 50th (Baranovichi).<ref>Vad777</ref> By 2017, the number of mechanised brigades had been further reduced to four, with two at full strength and two at reduced strength.<ref name=":0" />

====Air Force and Air Defence Forces====
The 28th Fighter Aviation Regiment, 2nd Air Defence Corps, [[Moscow Air Defence District]] was stationed in [[Krichev (air base)|Krichev]] in [[Mogilev Oblast]], and disbanded in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/iap/28iap.htm |title=28th Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO |publisher=Ww2.dk |date= |accessdate=2022-09-18}}</ref>

In 2007 the [[Belarusian Air Force|Air Force and Air Defence Force of Belarus]] (AF & ADF) consisted of 18,170 personnel (two fighter/interceptor bases, four FGA/reconnaissance squadrons, one transport air base, training aircraft, and attack and support helicopters, SAM units). Air Force equipment included in 2004 260 fighter-ground attack/training aircraft and 80 attack helicopters. According to Belarus government websites, the Air Forces now have two commands, the Western Operational-Tactical Command and the North-Western Operational-Tactical Command.

The 61st and 927th Air Bases have now merged into the 61st (fighter) Air Base at [[Baranovichi (air base)|Baranovichi]], flying [[MiG-29]]s, and the 206th Air Base (Ross) has merged into the 116th Guards Assault Air Base at [[Lida (air base)|Lida]], flying [[Su-25]]s.

=== Independent forces ===

==== Special Forces ====
[[File:Belarusian Special Forces in a Moscow Parade.jpg|thumb|289x289px|Troops of the Special Forces during the [[2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade]]]]
The [[Special Forces of Belarus]] is the [[airmobile]] and [[strategic deterrence]] force. It has been a participant in conflicts such as the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/571501.html|title=Кто такие белорусские миротворцы, как они могут появиться в чужой стране и можно ли им стрелять?|date=Dec 5, 2017|website=TUT.BY|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924154942/https://news.tut.by/economics/571501.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)]].<ref name="комсомолка"/>

==== Transport Troops ====
The [[Belarusian Transport Troops]] is responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, and air. It is also designed to carry the tasks of the transport support of the military formations from other service branches. General leadership is exercised by the Minister of Defense, while direct control is carried out by the Head of the Transport Support Department, a position that reports directly to the President.

==== Territorial Forces ====
{{main|Territorial Defense Troops of Belarus}}
[[File:Парад в Минске 2019 05.jpg|thumb|Troops of the Territorial Army of Belarus.]]
The [[Territorial Defense Troops of Belarus]] are a homeland defence organization in the armed forces. It is managed by the Department of the Territorial Forces, being a support department of the Ministry of Defence of Belarus and is operated by the General Staff. It is currently located on Kommunisticheskaya Street in [[Minsk]]. The current head of the department of territorial forces is Colonel Andrei Paseko. The Territorial Defence system was established in the early 2000s. Over 120,000 troops constitute the size of the Territorial Forces, which is twice as much as it serves in the regular duty military.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mil.by/ru/news/press_center/publications/8489/ | title=Территориальная оборона в системе национальной безопасности — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь | access-date=2019-07-11 | archive-date=2019-07-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711003329/https://www.mil.by/ru/news/press_center/publications/8489/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> During an address by President [[Alexander Lukashenko]] on 18 February 2016, he announced the allocation of arms and to the territorial forces and the minimum and maximum amount of district troops ranging from one company and a battalion. Personnel of these units are recruited from residents of their respective administrative-territorial regions.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://belarusdigest.com/story/strengthening-territorial-defence-new-military-priorities-nato-dialogue-belarus-security-digest/ | title=Strengthening Territorial Defence, New Military Priorities, NATO Dialogue – Belarus Security Digest &#124; BelarusDigest | access-date=2019-07-11 | archive-date=2019-07-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711003932/https://belarusdigest.com/story/strengthening-territorial-defence-new-military-priorities-nato-dialogue-belarus-security-digest/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://belaruspolicy.com/sites/default/files/articles/06.09.2015/territorialnye_voyska_segodnya.pdf|title=Территориальные войска сегодня|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516225755/http://belaruspolicy.com/sites/default/files/articles/06.09.2015/territorialnye_voyska_segodnya.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lektsii.org:443/8-12213.html|title=Законы Республики Беларусь о защите республики|website=lektsii.org|date=27 October 2016 |access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.modernarmy.ru/article/176|title=Войска территориальной обороны (ТерО) Республики Беларусь|website=www.modernarmy.ru|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220739/http://www.modernarmy.ru/article/176|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=blogger&hl=en-US&passive=true&continue=https://www.blogger.com/blogin.g?blogspotURL%3Dhttp://zapad-2013.blogspot.com/2013/08/blog-post_25.html%26zx%3D1wunmq1saf3jo|title=Blogger|website=accounts.google.com|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>

=== Specialized forces ===
Special troops are designed to support the combat activities of the Ground Forces and solve their inherent tasks. They include formations and military units of intelligence, communications, engineering, radiation, chemical and biological defense, electronic warfare, navigation and topographic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/forces/special/|title=Специальные войска — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|website=www.mil.by|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528032035/https://www.mil.by/ru/forces/special/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*Electronic Warfare Troops
*Signal Corps
*Engineer troops
*NBC Protection Troops
*Topographic Navigation Service

In (2021?) the 1393rd Artillery Warehouse for Ammunition celebrated its 80th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Time-tested: the 1393rd artillery ammunition depot located in Pribor celebrated its 80th anniversary |url=https://gomelisp.gov.by/provereno-vremenem-1393-j-artillerijskij-sklad-boepripasov-raspolozhennyj-v-pribore-otmetil-80-letie/?print=print}}</ref> The combat path of the mobile warehouse, formed on June 25, 1941 in the city of Mozhaisk, passed through the Moscow and Kaliningrad regions, Lithuania and East Prussia. In May 1945, the 1393rd Field Front-Line Artillery Depot was transferred to the village of [[Pribor, Belarus|Pribor]]. Today, the unit repairs, stores, and maintains rocket and artillery weapons.

== Security forces ==
===Internal Troops===
[[File:SPtriathlon2016-17.jpg|thumb|The Special Purpose Unit of the Internal Troops.]]
The [[Internal Troops of Belarus]] were formed from the former Soviet [[Internal Troops]] after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They consist of three independent brigades and seven independent battalions (consecutively numbered).

===Border Guard Service===
The Border Guard Service is the paramilitary force of the [[State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus]]. It covers the borders with [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Poland]], [[Lithuania]] and [[Latvia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gpk.gov.by/gpk/rukovodyashhiy-sostav.php|title=State Border Committee|website=Gpk.gov.by|access-date=23 January 2019|archive-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213171556/http://gpk.gov.by/gpk/rukovodyashhiy-sostav.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rovienna.iom.int/media/taras-seredyuk-state-border-committee-republic-belarus|title=Taras Seredyuk, the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus|date=Dec 8, 2017|website=rovienna.iom.int|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322235613/https://rovienna.iom.int/media/taras-seredyuk-state-border-committee-republic-belarus|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Manpower==
[[File:Парад в Минске 2019 13.jpg|thumb|Belarusian jets during a flyby in [[Minsk]], July 2019.]]
The Government Directive of 20 March 1992 'On the Establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus' founded the Belarusian army. The Soviet troops of the BMD were smoothly converted into Belarusian military units. Yet one of the first tasks of the Belarusian government was a reduction in its numbers. 240,000 soldiers and officers were serving in the Belarusian Military District. By early 2013 the numbers of military personnel had been scaled down nearly fourfold since 1991. In February 2014, Belorusskaya Voyennaya Gazeta, the official publication of the Ministry of Defense revealed that the Belarusian Armed Forces contains about 59,500 personnel, including 46,000 soldiers and 13,000 civilians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vsr.mil.by/2014/02/22/vooruzhennye-sily-respubliki-belarus-na-sovremennom-etape-razvitiya/|title=ВООРУЖЕННЫЕ СИЛЫ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛАРУСЬ НА СОВРЕМЕННОМ ЭТАПЕ РАЗВИТИЯ — Во славу Родины|website=vsr.mil.by|language=ru-RU|access-date=2018-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001610/https://vsr.mil.by/2014/02/22/vooruzhennye-sily-respubliki-belarus-na-sovremennom-etape-razvitiya/|archive-date=2018-01-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Personnel ==

=== Military Commandant's Services===
The Military [[Commandant's Service]]s of the Armed Forces of Belarus are regional administrations tasked with overseeing Belarusian regiments in the commandant's territory. Units are assigned to a specific commandant based on their location. {{As of|2025}}, there are 6 military commandant's services in the Belarusian Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mil.by/ru/forces/vkvs/ |title=Военные комендатуры Вооруженных Сил — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь |access-date=2018-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519033118/http://www.mil.by/ru/forces/vkvs/ |archive-date=2018-05-19 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
!| Service Name
!| Commander
!| Region
|-
| [[Baranavichy]] Military Commandant's Service
| Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Pivovar
| [[Brest region]]
|-
| [[Babruysk]] Military Commandant's Service
| Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Gritsuk
| [[Mogilev region]]
|-
| [[Barysaw]] Military Commandant's Service
| Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Kislyi
| [[Minsk region]]
|-
| [[Brest, Belarus|Brest]] Military Commandant's Service
| Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Ivanyuk 
| [[Brest region]]
|-
| [[Grodno]] Military Commandant's Service<ref>{{Cite web|title=Добились лучших результатов — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/news/96074/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.mil.by|archive-date=2021-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503025543/https://www.mil.by/ru/news/96074/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Lupyrev 
| [[Grodno region]]
|-
| [[Minsk Military Commandant's Service]]
| Colonel Nikolai Kurash 
| [[Minsk region]]
|-
|}

Units of commandant's services include [[military police]], [[honour guard]]s and [[military band]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mk.by/2012/03/13/56268/|title=Парады и порядок — Газета "Минский курьер"|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423180858/http://mk.by/2012/03/13/56268/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Military education ===
*[[Military Academy of Belarus]]
*[[Ministry of the Interior Academy of the Republic of Belarus|Ministry of the Interior Academy of Belarus]]
*[[Border Guard Service Institute of Belarus]]
*Military Institute of the [[Belarusian State Medical University]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Военно-медицинский институт открылся в БГМУ|url=https://www.belta.by/regions/view/fotofakt-v-minske-otkrylsja-voenno-meditsinskij-institut-444870-2021/|access-date=2021-07-11|website=www.belta.by|language=ru-RU}}</ref>
*Military Faculty of the [[Belarusian State University]] &ndash; The faculty was established on 4 November 1926, by order of the [[Revolutionary Military Council]]. In 1941, at the beginning of the [[Great Patriotic War]], military training classes were interrupted only to be resumed in 1943. In the post-war and subsequent years, the military department continued to train reserve officers from among the students in the required military accounting specialties. In 2003, the military department was reorganized into the modern military faculty of Belarusian State University.<ref>{{Cite web|title=О Факультете — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/education/bsu/about/|access-date=May 22, 2020|website=www.mil.by|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208202535/https://www.mil.by/ru/education/bsu/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Military Faculty of the [[Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics]] 
*Military Faculty of the [[Belarusian National Technical University]]
*Military Faculty of the [[Grodno State University]]
*Military Faculty of the [[Belarusian State University of Transport]]
*Military Faculty of the Belarusian State Academy of Aviation

== Equipment ==
[[File:Btr-d Belarus.jpg|thumb|right|[[BTR-D]]]]
{{main|List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Belarus}}
The military forces of Belarus are almost exclusively armed with Soviet-era equipment inherited from the Soviet Union. Although large in numbers, some Western experts consider some of it outdated.

"The Belarusian armed forces receive around 100 brand-new and upgraded systems a year", said in late July 2018, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Defence for Armament and Chief of Armament Major General Sergei Simonenko.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/82220/belarus-re-arms-airborne-troops |title=Belarus re-arms airborne troops &#124; Jane's 360 |access-date=2018-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808130935/https://www.janes.com/article/82220/belarus-re-arms-airborne-troops |archive-date=2018-08-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The MBTs are of Russian type [[T-72]], [[T-62]], and [[T-55]], the APCs and IFVs are of Russian type [[MT-LB]], [[BMP-2]], [[BMP-1]], and the [[BMD-1]], and Russian type trucks are the [[GAZ-66]] and the KAMAZ-6560. 
While the IISS Military Balance 2016 listed 69 [[T-80]]s in service,<ref name="mb2016">{{cite journal|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies|date=9 February 2016|title=The Military Balance 2016|journal=The Military Balance|language=en|volume=116|pages=181–183|doi=10.1080/04597222.2016.1127558|doi-access=free}}</ref> by 2018 the listing had been removed, and the only MBTs listed were 527 T-72 as well as 5 T-72B3.

The Air Force is equipped with [[MiG-29]] fighters, [[Su-25]] attack aircraft, as well as [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]], [[Mi-24]], and some old, Polish built [[Mil Mi-2|Mi-2]] helicopters. In December 2005, Belarus bought 10 [[Aero L-39|L-39C]] jet trainer aircraft from [[Ukraine]], and in 2017 a contract have been signed to buy 12 [[Su-30]]SM fighters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bsblog.info/on-the-purchase-of-su-30sm-for-the-belarusian-air-force/|title=On the purchase of Su-30SM for the Belarusian Air Force|date=20 June 2017|access-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723212417/https://bsblog.info/on-the-purchase-of-su-30sm-for-the-belarusian-air-force/|archive-date=2018-07-23|url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 2006, four batteries (''divizions'' in Russian terminology; about six systems each) of [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]] anti-aircraft systems were acquired from Russia to reinforce the [[Joint CIS Air Defense System]]. The Military Balance 2018 listed a brigade with the [[S-300P]] and a brigade with the [[S-300V]] ([[SA-12]]A Gladiator/[[SA-12]]B Giant).<ref>IISS Military Balance 2018, p.186.</ref> Moscow and Minsk signed contracts in 2021 for the supply of fighters, helicopters, air defense systems and other weapons to Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/1115/091065245/detail.shtml|title=ЦАМТО / / Москва и Минск подписали в 2021 году контракты на поставку авиатехники и средств ПВО}}</ref> [[S-400]] air defense systems and [[9K720 Iskander]] tactical ballistic missiles were delivered in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/1220/101570883/detail.shtml | title=ЦАМТО / / Александр Лукашенко: в Белоруссии поставлены на боевое дежурство ЗРС С-400 и ОТРК "Искандер" }}</ref> It was also reported that almost every company was equipped with quadcopters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1550059 | title=Russian instructors with combat experience train Belarusian forces in drone operation }}</ref> Kamikaze and surveillance UAVs of domestic development and production were reportedly entered service in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | title=Президенту Белоруссии Александру Лукашенко показали БАК "Чекан В" и "Беркут-3" | website=ВПК.name | date=2024-09-25 | url=https://vpk.name/news/920608_prezidentu_belorussii_aleksandru_lukashenko_pokazali_bak_chekan_v_i_berkut-3.html | language=ru | ref={{sfnref|ВПК.name|2024}} | access-date=2024-11-10}}</ref>

== Military cooperation ==
{{further interlanguage link|International military cooperation of the Republic of Belarus|be|Міжнароднае ваеннае супрацоўніцтва Рэспублікі Беларусь}}

=== CSTO ===
{{further interlanguage link|CSTO operation in Kazakhstan|ru|Операция ОДКБ в Казахстане}}
The armed forces took part in a joint [[CSTO]] military intervention in [[Kazakhstan]] during the [[2022 Kazakh unrest]].<ref name="troops">{{cite news|last1=Pannier|first1=Bruce|title=Analysis: The Consequences Of Inviting Russian-Led CSTO Troops Into Kazakhstan|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-csto-troop-russia-analysis/31642847.html|agency=RFE/RL|date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107125248/https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-csto-troop-russia-analysis/31642847.html|archive-date=7 January 2022|quote=Russia is reportedly sending 3,000 soldiers to Kazakhstan, Belarus some 500, Tajikistan 200, and Armenia 70, with Kyrgyzstan set to decide on January 7.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Миротворческая рота 103-й воздушно-десантной бригады ССО вылетела в Казахстан|url=https://www.tvr.by/news/obshchestvo/mirotvorcheskaya_rota_103_y_vozdushno_desantnoy_brigady_sso_vyletela_v_kazakhstan/ |agency=Belteleradio|date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108020342/https://www.tvr.by/news/obshchestvo/mirotvorcheskaya_rota_103_y_vozdushno_desantnoy_brigady_sso_vyletela_v_kazakhstan/|archive-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>

=== Military advisors ===
{{further interlanguage link|Military specialists of Belarus|be|Ваенныя спецыялісты Беларусі}}
{{see also|Group of belarusian military specialists in Venezuela}}
The armed forces have sent their military specialists to countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Venezuela, Libya, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, acting both officially and secretly. In Belarus, they have previously trained military personnel from the [[Nigerian Army]]. In 2014 and 2015, the special forces of the Nigerian Army were trained on the territory of Belarus, with the Belarusians training the Nigerians in counterterrorism.<ref name="нигерия">[http://csp.by/news/v-smi/nigeriyskie-soldaty-prokhodyat-spetsialnuyu-podgot/ Нигерийские солдаты проходят специальную подготовку в Беларуси для борьбы с боевиками в дельте Нигера] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716140632/http://csp.by/news/v-smi/nigeriyskie-soldaty-prokhodyat-spetsialnuyu-podgot/|date=July 16, 2018}} - Центр специальной подготовки Республики Беларусь</ref><ref>[https://vk.com/africa_war?w=wall-120370683_4407 Военнослужащие специальных сил Нигерии проходят обучение в Республике Беларусь (Фото)]</ref>

In 2007, an agreement was signed in Caracas with Venezuela, according to which Belarusian military specialists for the [[National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela]] were developing a unified air defense and electronic warfare system.<ref>Небо над Венесуэлой будет охранять белорусская система ПВО</ref> The following year, the first ten servicemen went to the country, with Lieutenant-General Oleg Paferov being appointed as the officer responsible for the activities of the advisers.<ref>[http://www.belmarket.by/poleteli-shapki-voennyh-i-pogranichnikov?page=7243 Полетели шапки военных и пограничников]</ref> A contingent of about 500 military advisers was also present in Libya during the [[First Libyan Civil War]], supporting the government of [[Muammar Gaddafi]].<ref name="комсомолка">[https://www.kp.ru/daily/25664/825870/ На стороне Каддафи воюют белорусские партизаны] — Комсомольская правда, 6 апреля 2011</ref> As of autumn 2013, there were at least two Belarusian advisers in Yemen at the Ministry of Defense. On November 26 of the same year, during an attack on a hotel in [[Sana'a]], a Belarusian was killed and another was wounded.<ref name="йемен">[https://news.tut.by/accidents/376480.html Военные, которые пострадали в Йемене, работали по белорусскому контракту] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093533/https://news.tut.by/accidents/376480.html |date=2019-01-20 }} // TUT.BY (27 ноября 2013)</ref> In February 2020, a dozen Belarusian military instructors arrived in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), where they were stationed at the Agban military base, which is occupied by one of the country's national gendarmerie units.<ref>[https://reform.by/instruktory-iz-belarusi-pribyli-v-kot-d-ivuar-dlja-obuchenija-mestnyh-zhandarmov Инструкторы из Беларуси прибыли в Кот-д’Ивуар для обучения местных жандармов]</ref>

== Institutions and special units of the armed forces ==

=== Museum of Military History of Belarus ===
The Museum of Military History of Belarus ({{Langx|ru|Музей военной истории Беларуси}}) is located in the [[Pyershamayski District]] of Minsk.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Государственный музей военной истории Республики Беларусь - Администрация Первомайского района г. Минска|url=https://pervadmin.gov.by/gosudarstvennyij-muzej-voennoj-istorii-respubliki-belarus|access-date=2021-05-31|website=pervadmin.gov.by|archive-date=2021-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214939/https://pervadmin.gov.by/gosudarstvennyij-muzej-voennoj-istorii-respubliki-belarus|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was established as the Museum of the History of the Belarusian Military District, opened in Minsk on February 21, 1978. In July 1993, it was converted into a museum on the military history of Belarus. The exhibits are the same as before the collapse of the USSR, with a small section on the medieval history of the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] having since been added.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Государственный музей военной истории Республики Беларусь|url=https://www.kpopov.ru/military/minsk_mil_history.htm|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.kpopov.ru}}</ref>  Its collection numbers over 18 thousand exhibits. The most ancient of them date back to the 6th century.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Музей военной истории|url=https://minsk-old-new.com/places/muzei/muzej-voennoj-istorii|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Минск старый и новый|language=ru|archive-date=2021-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523132235/https://minsk-old-new.com/places/muzei/muzej-voennoj-istorii|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Drama Theatre of the Belarusian Army ===

=== Belarusian Union of Officers ===
The Public Association "Belarusian Union of Officers" (hereinafter referred to as BSO) is a public association of officers and warrant officers who are on active duty and in retirement. It was established on 20 September 1992 at its founding congress. On September 18, 1993, Deputy of the Supreme Soviet Alexander Lukashenko took part in the 2nd Congress. From October 2005 to January 2015, the Republican Council of the BSO was headed by retired Lieutenant General E. Mikulchik, and until November 2017 was led by retired Major General V. Bamburov.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Общественное объединение "Белорусский союз офицеров" — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/bso/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.mil.by|archive-date=2021-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517162243/https://www.mil.by/ru/bso/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Other ===

*[[Military Band Service of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus|Military Band Service of the Armed Forces]]
*[[Belarusian Armed Forces Academic Song and Dance Ensemble]]
*[[Central House of Officers (Minsk)]]
*[[Honor Guard of the Armed Forces of Belarus]]
*[[Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum]]
*[[Belaya Rus (demonstration team)|Belaya Rus demonstration team]]

== Military holidays ==
{{See also|Public holidays in Belarus}}

*In [[Belarus]], the holiday annual [[Defender of the Fatherland Day]] (known as ''Дзень абаронцы Айчыны'' in the [[Belarusian language]]) celebrations on 23 February also coincide with the Day of the Armed Forces (''Дзень Узброеных Сіл''). It commemorates that day 1918 when the first unified military in the country was established as part of the [[Red Army]]. Officially declared a public holiday by President Lukashenko on 25 March 2004, it has traditionally been honoured with a wreath laying ceremony by the [[President of Belarus]] on [[Victory Square, Minsk|Victory Square]]. Joint festive events with soldiers of the [[Russian Armed Forces]] soldiers are also hold on 23 February in connection with their professional holiday. During the centennial of the armed forces in 2018, events were held throughout the year, including a military parade in [[Gomel]] and celebrations in [[Vitebsk]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yICW5SCYms| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/0yICW5SCYms| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|title=ВИДЕО. Военный парад к 100-летию Вооружённых Сил Республики Беларусь. Гродно, 23 февраля 2018 года| website=[[YouTube]]| date=24 February 2018|access-date=May 22, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/announces/4660/|title=День защитников Отечества и Вооруженных Сил Республики Беларусь — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|website=www.mil.by|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007101148/https://www.mil.by/ru/announces/4660/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/announces/4642/|title=День вооружения Вооруженных Сил — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|website=www.mil.by|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204135258/https://www.mil.by/ru/announces/4642/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Although a national holiday, [[Independence Day (Belarus)|Independence Day]] is primarily an armed forces celebration which honours those who took part in the [[Red Army]]'s 1944 [[Minsk Offensive]]. The [[Minsk Independence Day Parade]] is the main military event done on this day.

== Combat Banners and military marches ==
{{See also|Culture of Belarus}}The Battle Banner of a military unit is a symbol of the unit, retained throughout its lineage. Changes in the name and numbering of a military unit are entered in the Certificate of the President of the Republic of Belarus, issued upon presentation of the Battle Banner. The Battle Banner is awarded to formations, brigades/regiments, battalions, divisions, air squadrons, training units, and military educational institutions. Guards units are awarded with a black-and-orange guards ribbon attached to its shaft. Upon presentation of the Battle Banner to a military unit, a Diploma of the President of the Republic of Belarus is issued. In the event of the loss of the Battle Banner, the commander of a military unit and its servicemen are subject to legal consequences and the military unit is disbanded.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Боевое Знамя воинской части — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/enceklop/ritual/znamja/|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20190905013014/https://www.mil.by/ru/enceklop/ritual/znamja/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2019|access-date=2021-05-30|website=www.mil.by}}</ref>

The following is a list of notable Belarusian military pieces:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belsat.eu/ru/news/belorusskaya-armiya-mozhet-poluchit-belorusskoyazychnye-marshi/|title=StackPath|website=belsat.eu|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/enceklop/songs/|title=Военные песни — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|website=www.mil.by|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528030937/https://www.mil.by/ru/enceklop/songs/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Motherland My Dear (Радзіма мая дарагая)
*Victory March (Марш Перамогi)
*Anthem of the Military Academy (Гимн Военной академии)
*Grenadier March (Марш Грэнадыі)
*Our Fatherland's Flag (Айчыны нашай сцяг)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vuchoba.org/ajchini-nashaj-scyag.html|title=Айчыны нашай сцяг|website=vuchoba.org|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702183247/http://vuchoba.org/ajchini-nashaj-scyag.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Song from 45 (Письмо из 45-го)
== In art ==
* [[Viva Belarus!]] - the most famous film about the political regime of [[Alexander Lukashenko]], human rights in Belarus during his rule and also about the system of Belarusian army.

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite web|last=Main |first=Steven J |url=http://www.defac.ac.uk/colleges/csrc/document-listings/cee/g126 |title=The Belarusian Armed Forces: A Military-Political History 1991–2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306045432/http://www.defac.ac.uk/colleges/csrc/document-listings/cee/g126 |archive-date=2008-03-06 |date=2003}}, [[Conflict Studies Research Centre]], RMA Sandhurst.

==External links==
* [https://www.mil.by/en/ Official website of the Belarusian defense ministry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605215506/https://www.mil.by/en/ |date=2019-06-05 }}
{{Belarus topics}}
{{Armed Forces of Belarus}}
{{Military units and formations of the Armed Forces of Belarus}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Military history of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armed Forces Of Belarus}}
[[Category:Military of Belarus| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1992]]