Minsk. September 12. INTERFAX-WEST-Belarus plans to purchase more than $1 billion worth of weapons from Russia, President of the Republic Alexander Lukashenko told reporters while visiting the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground near Baranovichi during the military exercises "West-2021".
"The President said that a lot of attention was paid to defense and security issues at the talks in the Kremlin. Among other things, the prospects for the supply of C-400 complexes were discussed, " the state agency BelTA said in a statement.
On September 1, Lukashenko said that Russia will soon supply Belarus with dozens of planes, helicopters, air defense systems and, possibly, S-400.
"In the near future (I signed an order the day before yesterday), dozens of planes, dozens of helicopters, the most important air defense weapons will be delivered to us from the Russian Federation (I will not say what money and what). Maybe even a C-400. We really need them, I have already said this, " Lukashenko said.
According to the president, we are talking about the most modern equipment. "We will retrofit. If we see at the exercises ("West-2021" - IF) that we need something else, it means that we will buy from the Russian Federation and put it into service, " added Lukashenko.
Earlier, the head of the FSVTS of Russia, Dmitry Shugaev, said, answering a question from Interfax, that the issue of supplying Belarus with S-400 air defense systems has not yet passed into the practical plane.
"I have not yet switched to practical work, but we naturally see no reason to be cool about this with such a fraternal country as Belarus," he said on August 25 at the Army - 2021 forum.
"If the Belarusian side receives an application for the S-400 system, for the Pantsiri-S1, in accordance with the established procedure, it will be worked out in a short time, "Shugaev said.
On August 9, Lukashenko said that Minsk is interested in buying the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system and expects a positive decision by the Russian leadership.
"Such a question has been put to the President of Russia - that at a reasonable price, for a loan-because we do not have such money now. But we are conducting a dialogue with him (with the President of the Russian Federation - "IF") about the S-400 being delivered to the Republic of Belarus," Lukashenko said at the time.
"We are very interested in the S-400, and I am sure that we will receive these complexes," he added.
On January 14, Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus Igor Golub said that Minsk plans to conclude a contract with Russia for the supply of S-400 systems and Pantsir-S complexes.
