This is a discussion on Belarus Airforce within the Air Force & Aviation forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; It looks like Belarus is phasing out all their Su-24s. They're not acquiring any replacement, so this would mean a ...
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It looks like Belarus is phasing out all their Su-24s. They're not acquiring any replacement, so this would mean a massive downsizing. However, if they don't replace existing fighters with the Su-30KNs they're buying, then the number drop wouldn't be that significant.
EDIT: They're also taking delivery of their second battery of Tor-M2 SAMs. Both batteries will be part of the same btln in the 120th SAM Bde, where they will serve as tactical support for the Buk-M1s they use, similar to the Russian intended use of the Pantsyr and S-400 side by side.
How many aircraft do they still have? Afaik there should be some 17 Su 27, 33 MiG 29 and about 36 Su 25. Considering that 18 Su 30 are planned to be procured this would still make up a force of about 100 combat aircraft. Quite much regarding the country's size and economic problems.
And the Su 24 isn't such a worthy asset any more, it has shown poor precision and reliability over Georgia. Without any upgrades the Fencers wouldn't have been of great use in a conflict against NATO forces (as this is the only one possible for Belarus).
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This will leave then without recon aircraft. NATO also isn't their only potential adversary. They're a CSTO member state and could have to deploy in support of CSTO operations in Central Asia, or else where.
That's true, but in case of, let's say a conflict in Tajikistan, they would only
deploy a limited number of aircraft. Russia would have to contribute the largest
part of the necessary forces anyway.
The lack of a reconaissance platform is indeed a problem. Can't the Su 30KN
be equipped with ECR-pods?
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Originally Posted by Klaus
That's true, but in case of, let's say a conflict in Tajikistan, they would only
deploy a limited number of aircraft. Russia would have to contribute the largest
part of the necessary forces anyway.
The lack of a reconaissance platform is indeed a problem. Can't the Su 30KN
be equipped with ECR-pods?
Hypothetically? Yes. It's a question of are there such pods in existence, etc. The recon and EW pods they're currently developing for the Su-34 could be compatible, provided they adjust the avionics to accommodate them. What I doubt is that Belarus will actually acquire them.
Flight tests of the Grif UAV have commenced. The aircraft has a weight of 120 kg and can carry a 35 kg payload. It will be used for ISR missions as well as for ECR. After having completed this programm, Belarus intends to develop a heavier UAV (500 kg). (source: AIR International magazine)
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Belarus is going ahead with procurement of the Grif-1 UAV. It's undergoing trials right now, but these are neither state nor factory trials. They're development trials. The 558th Repair Factory plans to produce 6 complexes by the end of next year, each with several vehicles, and 4 UAVs each.
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A little update, a photo session from the 558th Air-Repair Factory in Belarus shows photos of the Su-30K being overhauled, for Rosoboroneksport, and two Grif-1 UAVs, one of them in Russian VVS colors. It still has a Belorussian flag on the tail, but the colorscheme is very close to the new Russian VVS one.
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Originally Posted by Klaus
Which countries do still operate Su-17s? Could it be Syria or Vietnam?
Poland does. Vietnam too. The type was extremely numerous, but saw little resale post-Cold War, so the bulk of them turned into scrap metal after rotting under the open sky for 10-15 years. Libya had a bunch, pre-civil war. How many are still flyable is anyone's guess. However they were still using them in 2011. Granted theirs are the Su-22 variant. Yemen still has some Su-22s.
This is most likely due to financial constraints rather then age as similar age Su-27s continue to serve in the Russian airforce (and others). It's possible they didn't want to pay the cost of overhauling them to keep them flyable.
There is also the issue of replacements. As it stands the best option would be for them to buy the Su-30KN that are already at the repair plant in Baranovichi. But so far there's been little news of that.
Finally the retired planes are supposedly getting sold to a company called ECA Program which plans to rent an airbase in Iceland and train other countries airforces there.
As it stands the best option would be for them to buy the Su-30KN that are already at the repair plant in Baranovichi.
I've read those jets are for Vietnam, is this true?
Quote:
Finally the retired planes are supposedly getting sold to a company called ECA Program which plans to rent an airbase in Iceland and train other countries airforces there.
Very interesting - I think there are many countries around the world that would be interesting in trying out potential rivals' fighters in an OPFOR environment. The problem will be replicating said rivals' tactics. And it's like these are the most modern Flankers either. Still, it's interesting the path FSU hardware sometimes takes.
A very small number of aircraft, but maybe they don't need anymore given that they now only have two squadrons of MiG-29s, and no other fighter planes. They also did get some second-hand L-39s from Ukraine earlier.
