Force Report
In the last of a two-part feature on the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence, Patrick Roegies, Stefan Goossens and Erwin van Dijkman examine the air arm’s fortunes following the merger of the air force and air defence force and assess the current order of battle.
A pair of single-seat Belarusian Su-25s – ‘21 White’ and ‘32 White’ – take part in a military parade over Minsk last July 3, celebrating 75 years since the country was liberated from Nazi occupation. The future of the ‘Frogfoot’ is unclear; there’s currently no modernisation programme for the remaining fleet and no replacement aircraft has been selected. Tom Feline
On December 21, 2001, the Air Force (VPS) and the Air Defence Forces (VSPA) of Belarus were merged into a unified air defence force – the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence (VPS i VSPA in Belarusian, or VVS i VPVO in Russian).
