Editing Armed Forces of Belarus (section)

==Structure==
Belarus government websites say that the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus is supported by Central Command Support Elements and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.mil.by/struct1vseng.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502013106/http://mod.mil.by/struct1vseng.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 May 2006|title=Ministry of Defence of RB - News|access-date=23 December 2014}}</ref>
Combat Support Elements of the Armed Forces included Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare, Signals, Engineer, NBC Defence, Navigation and Topography, and Maintenance organisations. Logistic Elements of the Armed Forces provided Material Support, Logistic Support, Medical Support, Veterinarian Support, and Military Construction.

In 1995 the Military Academy of Belarus was set up on the basis of two military educational institutions – the Minsk Air Defence and Rocket School of the [[Soviet Air Defence Forces]] and the Minsk Higher Military Command School. Its 10 departments train officers of 38 specialties for practically all arms of service. Also in 1995 it was given the status of a government institution of secondary special military education for young men.

=== Branches ===

====Ground Forces====
{{Location map many | Belarus
| width = 390
| float = right
| caption = {{center|Combat brigades of Belarus<br />''Source [https://web.archive.org/web/20120417044140/http://www.ryadovoy.ru/forum/index.php/topic,406.0.html]''}}
| label = <small>[[Grodno|6th Mech Bde]]</small>
  | marksize = 8
  | pos = right
  | bg = white
  | lat_deg = 53 | lat_min = 40
  | lon_deg = 23 | lon_min = 50
| label2 = <small>[[11th Guards Mechanized Brigade|11th Mech Bde]]</small>
  | mark2size = 8
  | pos2 = right
  | bg2 = white
  | lat2_deg = 53 | lat2_min = 05
  | lon2_deg = 25 | lon2_min = 19
| label3 = <small>[[Minsk|120th Mech Bde]]</small>
  | mark3size = 8
  | pos3 = left
  | bg3 = white
  | lat3_deg = 53 | lat3_min = 54
  | lon3_deg = 27 | lon3_min = 34
| label4 = <small>[[Polotsk|103rd Mobile Bde]]</small>
  | mark4 = Blue pog.svg
  | mark4size = 8
  | pos4 = left
  | bg4 = white
  | lat4_deg = 55 | lat4_min = 29
  | lon4_deg = 28 | lon4_min = 48
| label5 = <small>[[Brest, Belarus|38th Mobile Bde]]</small>
  | mark5size = 8
  | mark5 = Blue pog.svg
  | pos5 = right
  | bg5 = white
  | lat5_deg = 52 | lat5_min = 08
  | lon5_deg = 23 | lon5_min = 40
| label6 = <small>[[Maryina Horka|5th Spetsnaz Bde]]</small>
  | mark6size = 8
  | mark6 = Black pog.svg
  | pos6 = right
  | bg6 = white
  | lat6_deg = 53 | lat6_min = 30
  | lon6_deg = 28 | lon6_min = 09}}
A [[Library of Congress]] study of national ground forces said that in 1994 Belarus had ground forces of 52,500.<ref name=LOCB>[[Library of Congress Country Studies]], [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field%28DOCID+by0067%29 Ground Forces], in A Country Study: Belarus, June 1995</ref> They were organized into three corps headquarters, two motor divisions, one airborne division, the [[51st Guards Artillery Brigade (Belarus)|51st Guards Artillery Division]] at [[Osipovichi]],<ref>Feskov et al. 2004, 53, with five artillery brigades and two independent battalions.</ref> three mechanized divisions, one airborne brigade, three surface-to-surface missile brigades,<ref>Including the 43rd ([[OTR-21 Tochka]]) and 76th (8 НУ 9КЛг) Rocket Brigades at Zaslonovo, probably.</ref> two antitank brigades, one special duties brigade, and seven anti-aircraft missile brigades. Equipment included 3,108 main battle tanks (seventy-nine T-54, 639 T-55, 291 T-62, 299 T-64, eight T-80, and 1,800 T-72), 419 medium-range launchers, sixty surface to-surface missiles, and 350 surface-to-air missiles.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In 1993 the 7th Tank Army was reorganised as the 7th Army Corps. In 1994 the 7th Army Corps was redesignated as the 65th Army Corps, still located at [[Barysaw|Borisov]].

By January 1, 1995, the composition of the Belarusian ground forces had changed.<ref name=LOCB /> The Library of Congress study estimated at the time that Ministry of Defence forces included the [[103rd Guards Airborne Division]] and the [[38th Guards Mobile Brigade|38th Separate Assault-Landing Brigade]]; the [[28th Army (Soviet Union)|28th Army Corps]] ([[Grodno Region]] and [[Brest Region]]), composed of headquarters at [[Grodno]], the [[6th Guards Kiev-Berlin Mechanised Brigade]], the [[11th Guards Mechanized Brigade|11th Guards Mechanised Brigade]], the 50th Separate Mechanised Infantry Brigade, the Armament and Equipment base, and corps units (missile troops, antiaircraft, chemical and engineer troops, signals, and rear services); the [[65th Army (Soviet Union)|65th Army Corps]] (Minsk and [[Vitebsk Region]]s), composed of headquarters at [[Barysaw|Borisov]], three armament and equipment bases, and corps units; and the 5th Guards Army Corps (Minsk and Mahilyow regions) made up of headquarters at Babruysk, the 30th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, two Armament and Equipment bases, and corps units.

Actually, the 103rd Guards Airborne Division had been reorganized as Headquarters, Mobile Forces, in 1993.
On 1 August 1996 the 51st Guards Artillery Division was reorganised as the 51st Guards Central Group of Artillery, still located at [[Osipovichi]].<ref>Soldat.ru, [http://www.soldat.ru/force/belarus/spravki.html Brigades of the Belarus Armed Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117204708/http://soldat.ru/force/belarus/spravki.html |date=2013-01-17 }}, accessed December 2012.</ref>

On 21 December 2001, a major reorganisation of the Ground Forces produced two operational-territorial commands, formed from two former corps headquarters.{{sfn|Main|2003}} All Belarus ground forces were now grouped within these two commands, the [[Western Operational Command (Belarus)|Western Operational Command]] at [[Grodno]], former from the previous 28th Army Corps, the former Soviet [[28th Army (Soviet Union)|28th Army]], and the [[North Western Operational Command]], the former 65th Army Corps, at [[Barysaw]] (Borisov).

Since about 2001, territorial defence forces, which as of 2002 number around 150,000, have been forming, organised into battalions, companies, and platoons spread across Belarus.{{sfn|Main|2003}}

In 2007, the Land Forces consisted of 29,600 soldiers ([[6th Guards Kiev-Berlin Mechanised Brigade|6th Guards Mechanised Brigade]] ([[Grodno]]), [[11th Guards Mechanized Brigade]] at [[Slonim]], the [[120th Guards Mechanised Brigade]] ([[Minsk]]), 38th and 103rd Mobile Brigades (organized similarly to Soviet airborne regiments, not all of them are equipped with [[BMD-1]])),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ryadovoy.ru/forum/index.php/topic,406.0.html |title= Вооруженные силы Республики Беларусь|website=www.ryadovoy.ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417044140/http://www.ryadovoy.ru/forum/index.php/topic%2C406.0.html |archive-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> [[5th Spetsnaz Brigade]] ([[Maryina Horka]]),<ref>Formed [[Maryina Gorka]], Minsk Oblast, 1 January 1963as the 5th Special Forces Brigade GRU. Two battalions. On 3.4.78 renamed 5th independent Special Forces Brigade GRU. Took the oath of allegiance to Belarus on 31 December 1992. Michael Holm, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/gru/5obrsn.htm 5th independent Special Forces Brigade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202120137/http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/gru/5obrsn.htm |date=2014-02-02 }}, accessed 2014.</ref> five artillery brigades and four regiments, two MRL regiments, 15th, 29th, 115th, 120th and 302nd SAM Brigades, two SSM brigades, two brigades and one regiment of engineers, 8th independent NBC Brigade, two signals brigades, 40th independent NBC battalion. Army equipment includes 1800 main battle tanks (MBT) and 2600 AFV/APC.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} The weapons and equipment storage bases include the 50th (Brest), 19th,<ref>One of the equipment storage bases is the 19th, the former 19th Guards Tank Division at Zaslonovo in the [[Lepiel]] region. On October 1, 2003, the base was considerably strengthened. From other bases of storage of arms and techniques now we are distinguished favorably by new structure. Besides a battalion of protection, storage and service, motor-rifle and tank battalions were added. {{cite web|url=http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/belorussia%5Cbelorusia.htm |title=Force _sng |access-date=2008-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513075011/http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/belorussia/belorusia.htm |archive-date=2008-05-13 }}.</ref> [[34th Tank Division|34th]] & [[37th Guards Tank Division|37th]] (former tank divisions), [[3rd Guards Tank Division|3rd]], and 28th ([[Baranovichi]]). Weapons storage bases that have been disbanded include the 29th, 30th, [[193rd Tank Division|193rd]], and the storage base that used to be the 8th Guards Tank Division at [[Marina Gorka]].

In 2012 it was reported that there were six mechanised brigades in the Ground Forces: three full-strength, the 6th (Grodno), 11th (Slonim), and [[120th Guards Mechanised Brigade]] at [[Minsk]]. The others were at reduced strength, where there was one battalion, the 19th (Zaslonova), 37th, and 50th (Baranovichi).<ref>Vad777</ref> By 2017, the number of mechanised brigades had been further reduced to four, with two at full strength and two at reduced strength.<ref name=":0" />

====Air Force and Air Defence Forces====
The 28th Fighter Aviation Regiment, 2nd Air Defence Corps, [[Moscow Air Defence District]] was stationed in [[Krichev (air base)|Krichev]] in [[Mogilev Oblast]], and disbanded in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/iap/28iap.htm |title=28th Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO |publisher=Ww2.dk |date= |accessdate=2022-09-18}}</ref>

In 2007 the [[Belarusian Air Force|Air Force and Air Defence Force of Belarus]] (AF & ADF) consisted of 18,170 personnel (two fighter/interceptor bases, four FGA/reconnaissance squadrons, one transport air base, training aircraft, and attack and support helicopters, SAM units). Air Force equipment included in 2004 260 fighter-ground attack/training aircraft and 80 attack helicopters. According to Belarus government websites, the Air Forces now have two commands, the Western Operational-Tactical Command and the North-Western Operational-Tactical Command.

The 61st and 927th Air Bases have now merged into the 61st (fighter) Air Base at [[Baranovichi (air base)|Baranovichi]], flying [[MiG-29]]s, and the 206th Air Base (Ross) has merged into the 116th Guards Assault Air Base at [[Lida (air base)|Lida]], flying [[Su-25]]s.

=== Independent forces ===

==== Special Forces ====
[[File:Belarusian Special Forces in a Moscow Parade.jpg|thumb|289x289px|Troops of the Special Forces during the [[2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade]]]]
The [[Special Forces of Belarus]] is the [[airmobile]] and [[strategic deterrence]] force. It has been a participant in conflicts such as the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/571501.html|title=Кто такие белорусские миротворцы, как они могут появиться в чужой стране и можно ли им стрелять?|date=Dec 5, 2017|website=TUT.BY|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924154942/https://news.tut.by/economics/571501.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)]].<ref name="комсомолка"/>

==== Transport Troops ====
The [[Belarusian Transport Troops]] is responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, and air. It is also designed to carry the tasks of the transport support of the military formations from other service branches. General leadership is exercised by the Minister of Defense, while direct control is carried out by the Head of the Transport Support Department, a position that reports directly to the President.

==== Territorial Forces ====
{{main|Territorial Defense Troops of Belarus}}
[[File:Парад в Минске 2019 05.jpg|thumb|Troops of the Territorial Army of Belarus.]]
The [[Territorial Defense Troops of Belarus]] are a homeland defence organization in the armed forces. It is managed by the Department of the Territorial Forces, being a support department of the Ministry of Defence of Belarus and is operated by the General Staff. It is currently located on Kommunisticheskaya Street in [[Minsk]]. The current head of the department of territorial forces is Colonel Andrei Paseko. The Territorial Defence system was established in the early 2000s. Over 120,000 troops constitute the size of the Territorial Forces, which is twice as much as it serves in the regular duty military.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mil.by/ru/news/press_center/publications/8489/ | title=Территориальная оборона в системе национальной безопасности — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь | access-date=2019-07-11 | archive-date=2019-07-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711003329/https://www.mil.by/ru/news/press_center/publications/8489/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> During an address by President [[Alexander Lukashenko]] on 18 February 2016, he announced the allocation of arms and to the territorial forces and the minimum and maximum amount of district troops ranging from one company and a battalion. Personnel of these units are recruited from residents of their respective administrative-territorial regions.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://belarusdigest.com/story/strengthening-territorial-defence-new-military-priorities-nato-dialogue-belarus-security-digest/ | title=Strengthening Territorial Defence, New Military Priorities, NATO Dialogue – Belarus Security Digest &#124; BelarusDigest | access-date=2019-07-11 | archive-date=2019-07-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711003932/https://belarusdigest.com/story/strengthening-territorial-defence-new-military-priorities-nato-dialogue-belarus-security-digest/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://belaruspolicy.com/sites/default/files/articles/06.09.2015/territorialnye_voyska_segodnya.pdf|title=Территориальные войска сегодня|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516225755/http://belaruspolicy.com/sites/default/files/articles/06.09.2015/territorialnye_voyska_segodnya.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lektsii.org:443/8-12213.html|title=Законы Республики Беларусь о защите республики|website=lektsii.org|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.modernarmy.ru/article/176|title=Войска территориальной обороны (ТерО) Республики Беларусь|website=www.modernarmy.ru|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220739/http://www.modernarmy.ru/article/176|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=blogger&hl=en-US&passive=true&continue=https://www.blogger.com/blogin.g?blogspotURL%3Dhttp://zapad-2013.blogspot.com/2013/08/blog-post_25.html%26zx%3D1wunmq1saf3jo|title=Blogger|website=accounts.google.com|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>

=== Specialized forces ===
Special troops are designed to support the combat activities of the Ground Forces and solve their inherent tasks. They include formations and military units of intelligence, communications, engineering, radiation, chemical and biological defense, electronic warfare, navigation and topographic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/forces/special/|title=Специальные войска — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|website=www.mil.by|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528032035/https://www.mil.by/ru/forces/special/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*Electronic Warfare Troops
*Signal Corps
*Engineer troops
*NBC Protection Troops
*Topographic Navigation Service