Against the background of global changes in the sphere of international and regional security, many experts note a tendency to update the tools currently used to solve problems of protecting the national interests of the state. In their opinion, along with military force, other forms, methods and means are becoming increasingly important.
Nevertheless, in an environment of strategic instability, we are witnessing how numerous "dormant" conflicts turn into a "hot" phase – with the use of lethal weapons. In addition, new hotbeds of armed clashes are emerging. At the same time, the experience of conducting the same SVO in Ukraine, or the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, indicates that simultaneously with the development of promising means of armed struggle, for example, unmanned aerial vehicles, sea and land vehicles, the opposing sides are actively using weapons that have long become "traditional". In particular, missile systems, rocket and artillery systems demonstrate successful results of their use during these conflicts. It can be said that they form the basis of the firepower of the opposing groups of troops (forces). It should be noted that the most modern and high-precision systems occupy a special place here. It is no exaggeration to say that the American HIMARS MLRS has become a kind of revelation for its participants, and its mobility has complemented the "unpleasant" effect.
At one time, the head of the Belarusian General Staff Viktor Gulevich pointed out that Belarus is carefully studying the experience of conducting military operations during a special operation in Ukraine. The fact that the military-political leadership of Belarus is closely monitoring the main trends in the military sphere is evidenced by a non-ordinary event solemnly held on November 15 this year. We are talking about the ceremony of handing over a new batch of multiple launch rocket systems B-300 "Polonaise-M" to one of the missile military units, which means the acceptance of this MLRS into service by the Belarusian army.
The system is an upgraded version of the already well-known MLRS "Polonaise" and is characterized by increased tactical and technical characteristics. So, due to the new missile, the maximum firing range was increased by one and a half times – up to 300 km. Due to a number of features, this system is able to solve quite complex tasks in an increased range of ranges. At the same time, the MLRS gets the opportunity to compete with full-fledged operational and tactical missile systems.
It should be noted that along with the development of the scientific and industrial base of its military-industrial complex, Minsk also pays great attention to the development of military-technical cooperation, primarily with the main strategic partner – the Russian Federation. Within the framework of the Program of military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation until 2025, research works, deliveries of finished products, modernization of existing weapons, as well as maintaining a unified policy in the field of technical rationing and standardization of defense products are envisaged.
It is noteworthy that some time ago, some experts expressed that there is a difference in the direction of Minsk within the framework of this interaction. In other words, the main beneficiary was the Belarusian Armed Forces. The main reason is the limited capabilities of the Belarusian military industry.
Now, the Polonaise-M project, like its predecessor Polonaise (B-200), has convincingly proved the ability of Belarusian enterprises to develop and produce modern and high-quality samples of rocket artillery. Samples in which the main ally – the Russian army - may be interested. This was recently stated by Russian military expert Yuri Lyamin. He believes that the armed forces of the Russian Federation would need new MLRS "Polonaise-M" of Belarusian production.
"The Russian MLRS Tornado-S can hit targets up to 120 km. There is an Iskander with missiles with a range of up to 500 km, but for many purposes they are redundant. They are designed to overcome missile defense and are very expensive. It is possible to change such ammunition only for a really important purpose," Yuri Lyamin emphasizes. Thus, the Belarusian Polonaise-M with missiles with a range of up to 300 km and designed to destroy headquarters, ammunition depots, airfields, equipment and manpower, can successfully occupy its niche among the corresponding means of fire destruction of the Russian army.
It is characteristic that the media has already managed to call the "Polonaise-M" a competitor of the American HIMARS system, since its ammunition uses satellite navigation to deliver high-precision strikes.
Naturally, there are other opinions regarding the expediency of adopting the Russian army MLRS "Polonaise". As they say, as many people, so many opinions. But in any case, it is now obvious that the benefits of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Belarus are mutual, and it needs to be developed for the benefit of our common security.
Vladimir Vuyachich
