Lukashenka took up old arms

“Defence capability of the country is the most important element. To move with the times, we need to buy new arms, complexes or modernise the military hardware we are armed with now. We will buy what we need, but modernisation should become the main direction,” Alyaksandr Lukashenka said today during his visit to the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus.

He added that “Belarus will modernise its armament and hardware, but won’t refuse from buying new models,” Interfax reports.

In Lukashenka’s opinion, “if we learn how to do it ourselves, we can render services in places, where these arms and hardware are in operational service.”

But it was found out that Belarusian MIC hasn’t yet learnt how to modernise. Lukashenka slashed the committee representatives for failure the terms of modernisation of air defence missile system BUK, and said he had doubts whether it was necessary to go on works of its modernisation. “Time passed, but you have failed with terms,” he said.

According to Lukashenka, the decision on its modernisation and overhaul was taken yet in 2004. “It can be very quality weapon if it is modernised. It’s what our military forces need,” Lukashenka said. He also noted that “the modernisation made by Russia is old and doesn’t meet our demands.”

Lukashenka said the terms of modernisation were extended from time to time, according to the last request, it was offered to extend terms of air defence missile system modernisation till the end of 2007. But “it was found out that even a modernised model isn’t ready for fielding,” Lukashenka said.

In this connection a commission has been created whose duty is to conclude whether it is purposeful to continue works on the system modernisation.