Belarus Air Force Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker multi-mission fighter. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Belarus
In a threatening tone, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said this Friday (25) that his country's Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets can now carry nuclear weapons. Lukashenko even threatened Ukraine and strengthened its partnership with Russia.
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Speaking to state news agency BelTA, Lukashenko criticized the US arms transfer and NATO partners for Ukraine, soon after revealing the fighter modifications.
“They [US] need to understand that no helicopters or aircraft will save them [Ukraine] if they decide to escalate the situation. Putin and I once said in St. Petersburg that we will refit Belarusian Sukhoi aircraft, among other things, so that they can carry nuclear weapons. Do you think we talk nonsense? Everything is ready!”
Su-30SM from Belarus. Photo: Belta
According to Russian state-owned TASS, Lukashenko spoke to Putin in June about a proposal to take proportionate countermeasures against Western actions by reconfiguring Belarusian planes to allow the transport of nuclear warheads.
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The President did not reveal which nuclear weapons the Su-30 would be able to use with the modifications, nor if Belarus actually acquired this type of weapon.
Belarus and Russia are great partners and have strengthened their relations with the recent crisis in Europe, especially after the invasion of Ukraine, which completed six months on Wednesday (24). Russian troops and aircraft were deployed in the country in the days leading up to the outbreak of fighting.
Photo: Al Jazeera.
Also in June, Lukashenko criticized NATO's actions in response to the conflict. At the time, he said he was concerned about flights by US and alliance aircraft, which would be training to carry nuclear weapons. “It is very stressful for us. That's why I ask you to consider a direct answer to these things. Without exaggerating.”
Belarus is one of 14 countries operating the Su-30SM, which evolved from the Indian Su-30MKI. Minsk and Moscow signed an agreement in 2016 for the sale of the jets, which was later finalized in 2017, with the acquisition of 12 aircraft.
The Belarus Air Force has already received four of the advanced 4.5 Generation fighters. The aircraft are based at Baranovichi Air Base, where they operate alongside veterans MiG-29 Fulcrum.
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