Belarusian Air Force
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| Belarusian Air Force | |
|---|---|
 Belarusian Su-25 |
|
| Active | since 1991 |
| Country |  Belarus |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Su-25, Mi-24 |
| Bomber | Su-24 |
| Fighter | MiG-23, MiG-29, Su-27 |
| Trainer | L-39 |
| Transport | An-12, An-24, An-26, Il-76, Mi-8, Tu-134 |
The Belarusian Air Force is the air force of the Armed Forces of Belarus, formed in 1992 from the 26th Air Army of the Soviet Air Forces which had been serving in the Belorussian SSR.
Contents |
[edit] Organization
In accordance with the edict of the President of republic Belarus' in the year 2001 the Air Force and troops of air defense were created as one of the forms of the armed forces of republic Belarus. The VVS and air defense forces as the form of the armed forces are intended for the protection of centers, regions, objects (administrative, industrial, economic), groupings of troops from the impacts/shocks of enemy from air, and also for the defeat of objects, military-economic potential and hostile troops, fire support and guarantee of combat operations of ground forces.In peacetime VVS and air defense forces by the part of the forces and facilities they bear standby alert for the purpose of the protection of state boundary in air and the control of the observance of the order of the use of airspace of republic Belarus'.
The Air Force and Air Defense of the Armed Forces of Belarus are organized into six major flying regiments, including two interceptor, three strike, and a reconnaissance. The air force consists of more than 22,000 personnel, though this number is being reduced. Major bases include Balbasovo, Bobr, Luninets, Maladzyechna, Pribytki, Smarhon, and Vitebsk. The air force is responsible for all military aviation, as the Army maintains no aircraft of its own.
The Belarusian Air Force maintains close links with the Russian Air Force.
[edit] Prior History
On 5 May 1942 on the basis of the Air Forces of the Western Front the 1st Air Army was created.[1] By General Staff order of 10 January 1949 the Army became the 26th Air Army (ГШ ВС СССР № ОРГ 120026). In 1980, the 26th Air Army was redesignated the Air Forces of the Belorussian Military District (ГШ ВС СССР 1980 года № 314/1/00170). On 1 May 1988, in accordance with the Ministry of Defence of the USSR's Decree № 0018, the Air Forces of the District were again renamed the 26th Air Army. On 15 June 1992, by decree № 05 of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, the 26th Air Army headquarters became the command of the Air Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
[edit] Aircraft Inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[2] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero L-39 Albatros |  Czechoslovakia |
trainer | L-39C | 6 | |
| Antonov An-12 Cub |  Soviet Union |
transport | An-12BP | 6 | |
| Antonov An-24 Coke |  Ukraine |
transport | An-24 | 1 | |
| Antonov An-26 Curl | Soviet Union
Ukraine |
transport | An-26RT | 6 | |
| Ilyushin Il-76 Candid | Soviet Union |
transport | Il-76MD | 4 | |
| Mil Mi-8 Hip | Soviet Union |
transport/attack | Mi-8MT Mi-8MB Mi-8S |
? | |
| Mil Mi-24 Hind | Soviet Union |
attack | Mi-24P Mi-24K |
40 | |
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum | Soviet Union |
fighter | Total MiG-29C MiG-29P MiG-29UB |
65 37 20 8 |
|
| Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer | Soviet Union |
strike | Total Su-24MK Su-24MR |
34 22 12 |
|
| Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot | Soviet Union |
close air support | Total Su-25 Su-25UB |
76 70 6 |
|
| Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker | Soviet Union |
fighter | Total Su-27P Su-27UB |
23 20 3 |
|
| Tupolev Tu-134 Crusty | Soviet Union |
VIP transport | Tu-134A | 1 |
[edit] References
- ^ Belarusian Ministry of Defense, http://www.mod.mil.by/s37sprawka.html, accessed 22 May 2008
- ^ Belarusian military aviation OrBat
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