Belarusian Infantry Forces: Current Numbers And Strengths

The Belarusian infantry, or ground forces, are the largest structure in the country's military. However, only a fraction of its personnel are immediately available, with an estimated 10,000-15,000 troops serving in the Belarusian Ground Forces during peacetime. The rest must be called upon request.

The ground forces were founded on March 20, 1992, the same day the Defence Ministry of Belarus was established. By 1994, the ground forces had over 50,000 troops, most of whom were former soldiers of the Soviet Army's Belorussian Military District.

The Belarusian infantry is part of the Ground Forces, which is a service branch of the Armed Forces of Belarus

In 1994, the Belarusian Ground Forces had over 50,000 troops, most of whom were former soldiers of the Soviet Army. In 2007, the Land Forces consisted of 29,600 soldiers. However, according to a 2021 report, only 10,000-15,000 troops serve in the Belarusian Ground Forces day-to-day in peacetime, with the rest having to be called upon request. As of 2024, Belarus has a total of 63,000 active-duty personnel, including paramilitary forces.

In December 2001, the Ground Forces underwent a major reorganisation, resulting in the formation of two operational-territorial commands: the Western Operational Command and the North Western Operational Command. This reorganisation further integrated the Belarusian Ground Forces into the Russian military command structure. The Ground Forces headquarters was abolished during another reorganisation in 2011 and replaced by combat training and territorial defence directorates.

The Belarusian infantry is equipped with Soviet-era weaponry, including T-72, T-62, and T-55 tanks, and MT-LB, BMP-2, BMP-1, and BMD-1 armoured vehicles. However, the army faces financial challenges and equipment maintenance issues due to a limited defence budget.

In 2024, Belarus was ranked 64th out of 145 countries in the annual GFP review

In 2024, Belarus was ranked 64th out of 145 countries in the annual Global Firepower (GFP) review. The GFP formula takes into account a nation's potential war-making capability across land, sea and air, with a particular focus on conventional weapons. Belarus' landlocked status means it has no navy, but it does have control over some small Soviet-inherited naval vessels on its rivers and lakes.

Belarus' military strength is largely derived from its ground forces, which were founded on March 20, 1992, and consist of around 50,000 troops, most of whom are former soldiers of the Soviet Army's Belorussian Military District. The ground forces underwent a major reorganisation in December 2001, which resulted in the creation of two operational-territorial commands: the Western Operational Command and the North Western Operational Command. This reorganisation also confirmed the Belarusian Ground Forces' integration into the Russian military command structure.

The Belarusian military still holds many Soviet military laws and maintains high numbers of reserve personnel. In 2021, the Military Balance report stated that Belarus had a military reserve of 290,000 people, with 49,000 personnel in the armed forces. Most soldiers are conscripts serving for a period of 18 months, with an alternative service option available.

In terms of equipment, the Belarusian military is almost exclusively armed with Soviet-era machinery, including T-72, T-62, and T-55 tanks, and MT-LB, BMP-2, BMP-1, and BMD-1 armoured vehicles. The air force operates a couple of dozen Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-25 attack aircraft, as well as Mi-8, Mi-24, and Mi-2 helicopters.

Belarus' ranking in the GFP review is based on an assessment of the country's potential war-making capability. While the country's military strength is relatively strong in terms of manpower and equipment, it is limited by its lack of access to the sea and its heavy reliance on outdated Soviet-era technology.

The Belarusian infantry is poorly equipped, with mostly outdated Soviet-era equipment

The Belarusian military currently has 50,000 soldiers and officers, with an additional 15,000 people listed as military personnel. The military reserve that can be called up in case of mobilisation is 290,000 people. The Ground Forces are the largest structure in the Belarusian military, but only a fraction of its personnel are immediately available. According to a report by the Russian Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, only 10,000-15,000 troops serve in the Belarusian Ground Forces day-to-day in peacetime. The rest have to be called upon request.

The Belarusian infantry's equipment is mostly outdated Soviet-era machinery. The country inherited its army from the troops stationed in the country under Soviet rule, where it was a significant rear to the Soviet armies in Poland and East Germany. The old centralised structure containing three army corps has been reorganised into smaller, more decentralised Operational Commands – west, northwest, and south.

The Ground Forces were founded on 20 March 1992, on the same day the Defence Ministry of Belarus was established. By 1994, the Ground Forces had over 50,000 troops, most of whom were former soldiers of the Soviet Army's Belorussian Military District. The army equipment used at the time included 79 T-54s, 639 T-55s, 291 T-62s, 299 T-64s, 8 T-80s, and 1,800 T-72s. The Belarusian infantry continues to use T-72s, with other tanks in their arsenal including T-55s, T-62s, and T-64s.

The Belarusian infantry's artillery is also mostly inherited from the Soviet Union. Military Balance reports 583 towed Msta-B howitzers and some old self-propelled Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery pieces are at Belarus' disposal. Belarus also has six new Polonez 300-millimetre rocket artillery systems that were produced domestically. These Belarus-made artillery systems are capable of launching high-precision missiles with a maximum firing range of 200 kilometres.

The Belarusian aviation currently operates a couple of dozen Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-25 attack aircraft. The only new aircraft are four Su-30SM fighters and 12 Yak-130 combat training aircraft. The Belarusian air defence consists primarily of Russian long-range S-300 PS anti-aircraft systems designed in the 1980s that have proven unsuccessful against US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers.

The infantry is underfunded, with a military budget of only $880 million, which is tiny compared to other European countries

The Republic of Belarus maintains a sizeable infantry force as part of its overall military capabilities. However, the country's military expenditures reveal that the infantry and the broader military may be facing resource constraints. With a military budget of just $880 million, Belarus has one of the smallest defense budgets in Europe. This limited funding has implications for the readiness, equipment, and overall capabilities of the Belarusian infantry.

Compared to other European countries, Belarus' military expenditure is minuscule. For context, neighboring countries like Poland and Lithuania have military budgets of approximately $13.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. Other European nations with similar population sizes, such as Sweden and Switzerland, spend significantly more on their militaries, with budgets exceeding $6 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively. The disparity in military spending between Belarus and other European countries indicates a potential funding gap for the Belarusian infantry.

The limited military budget of Belarus may result in challenges for the infantry in several key areas. Firstly, it can lead to shortages of modern equipment and weapons, potentially affecting the infantry's combat effectiveness and capability to engage in prolonged operations. Additionally, insufficient funding may impact the infantry's ability to conduct joint exercises and training with allies, which are crucial for maintaining readiness and interoperability.

Underfunding can also influence the retention and morale of infantry personnel. Low military budgets often result in limited resources for personnel, including competitive salaries, benefits, and career development opportunities. This can lead to challenges in attracting and retaining highly skilled and motivated individuals, potentially impacting the overall quality and effectiveness of the infantry force over time.

The infantry is primarily used for internal policing and suppression of dissent, rather than external conflicts

The infantry in Belarus is primarily used for internal policing and the suppression of dissent rather than for external conflicts. The vast majority of armed personnel in Belarus are paramilitary and are intended for internal policing and the suppression of dissent. The primary purpose of all armed men in these post-Soviet states is as a truncheon for the autocrat. The internal security forces are recruited for loyalty and are given the best equipment. The army, on the other hand, is intentionally underfunded. The military is made up of conscripts whose loyalty cannot be trusted.

The Belarusian infantry is also used for conducting military drills and keeping neighbouring countries on high alert. The country's military drills have been a cause for concern, as they have been used to prepare troops for full-scale invasions. The Belarusian infantry is also used for border control. The Border Guard Service is the paramilitary force of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus and covers the borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

The infantry in Belarus is also used for ceremonial purposes. The Honour Guard of the Armed Forces of Belarus is used for ceremonial purposes, such as wreath-laying ceremonies on Independence Day.

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