Belarus Army: Size, Strength, And Capability

Belarus has a population of around 9.3 million people, and its professional army consists of about 48,000 troops, according to the 2022 International Institute for Strategic Studies' Military Balance. The country's military is made up of the Ground Forces and the Air Force and Air Defence Forces, all under the command of the Ministry of Defence. Belarus is ranked 64th out of 145 countries in the 2024 Global Firepower review, with a Power Index score of 1.0901.

Belarus's army size in 2020 was 158,000

Belarus' military size in 2020 was 158,000, a 1.94% increase from 2019. This number includes active-duty military personnel and paramilitary forces that can support or replace regular military forces.

Belarus' military forces consist of the Ground Forces and the Air Force and Air Defence Forces, all under the command of the Ministry of Defence. As a landlocked country, Belarus has no navy, but the Belarusian military does have control over some small Soviet-inherited naval vessels in its rivers and lakes.

The Belarusian 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. In December 2001, the Ground Forces underwent a major reorganisation, producing two operational-territorial commands: the Western Operational Command at Grodno and the North Western Operational Command at Barysaw. This reorganisation further confirmed the Belarusian Ground Forces' integration into the Russian military command structure.

In 2023, Belarus' professional army had about 48,000 troops and 12,000 state border troops, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Military Balance. The same year, President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the formation of a new volunteer territorial defence force of up to 150,000 people, stating that his army would fight only if Belarus was attacked.

In 2024, Belarus ranked 64 out of 145 countries in the Global Firepower review

Belarus's military consists of ground forces, an air force, and air defence forces under the command of the Ministry of Defence. As a landlocked country, Belarus does not have a navy, but it does have control over some small Soviet-inherited naval vessels in its rivers and lakes. The Belarusian military still holds many Soviet military laws and prioritises high numbers of reserve personnel.

In 2024, Belarus's available manpower was ranked 82 out of 145, with 4,973,442 people, and its fit-for-service population was ranked 82 out of 145, with 3,678,470 people. The country's total military personnel was estimated to be 263,000, with 63,000 active personnel and 145,000 reserve personnel. Belarus's ground forces include mechanised brigades, artillery units, and special forces for intelligence, communications, engineering, and electronic warfare.

The country's air force consists of fighter jets, attack aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters. In recent years, Belarus has acquired new military equipment, including S-400 air defence systems, 9K720 Iskander tactical ballistic missiles, and quadcopters. Belarus's defence budget was $903,900,000, ranking it 90th out of 145 countries in the GFP review.

Belarus has a professional army of 48,000 troops and 12,000 border troops

The Belarusian 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. In 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 Air Force and Air Defence Force of Belarus (AF & ADF) consist of fighter/interceptor bases, FGA/reconnaissance squadrons, a transport air base, training aircraft, attack and support helicopters, and SAM units. As of 2007, the AF & ADF had a personnel strength of 18,170.

In addition to its ground and air forces, Belarus also has special forces that serve as an airmobile and strategic deterrence force. They have participated in international conflicts such as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the Libyan Civil War in 2011.

Belarus's military capabilities also extend beyond its regular armed forces. The country has a paramilitary force of 55,000 personnel and a Border Guard Service that covers its borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Additionally, Belarus has a significant number of potential military personnel outside its armed forces, with an estimated 1.5 million people who could be mobilised in the event of a declaration of martial law.

The Belarusian Ground Forces were founded on March 20, 1992

The founding of the Belarusian Ground Forces came after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent independence of Belarus. The new country's military was established from the former Soviet troops stationed in the Belarusian Military District, which had numbered around 240,000 soldiers and officers. However, one of the first tasks of the Belarusian government was to reduce the size of its military.

In December 2001, the Ground Forces underwent a major reorganisation, resulting in the creation of two operational-territorial commands: the Western Operational Command at Grodno and the North Western Operational Command at Barysaw. This reorganisation further integrated the Belarusian Ground Forces into the Russian military command structure, with Belarus now operating under Russian command during joint exercises.

The Belarusian Ground Forces have continued to undergo changes and reorganisations over the years, with the ground forces headquarters being abolished during a reorganisation in 2011 and replaced by combat training and territorial defence directorates. As of 2021, the units of the operational commanders were manned at half strength, making them unprepared for rapid response combat operations.

In recent years, Belarus has continued to maintain a significant military presence, with a reported 60,000 army personnel as of 2024. The country's professional army has approximately 48,000 troops and 12,000 state border troops, according to the 2022 International Institute for Strategic Studies' Military Balance. Additionally, Belarus has deployed aircraft and air defence troops along its border with Ukraine, including anti-aircraft missiles and soldiers from its radio-technical corps.

The Belarusian army is supported by the Transport Troops, responsible for the movement of personnel and materials

The Transport Troops are responsible for the movement of personnel and materials by truck, rail, and air. They are designed to provide transport support to military formations from other service branches across the country. In peacetime, they are responsible for the mobilisation of operational equipment across Belarusian territory, and they implement preparatory technical measures such as the restoration and improvement of railways and highways.

In wartime, the Transport Troops fight alongside the rest of the armed forces, providing technical cover, creating lines of communication, and facilitating transport to combat zones. They are also responsible for the organisation of military transport by rail, road, and air, including the maintenance of military transport by road.

The Transport Troops consist of several specialised brigades and battalions, including the 36th Road and Bridge Brigade, the 302nd Separate Railway Brigade, the 71st Railway Battalion, and the 259th Mobile Restoration Railway Battalion. They are an integral part of the Belarusian military, ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of personnel and equipment.

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