Vladimir Putin has announced that he will supply his ally Belarus with the nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile system. Belarusian warplanes are also to be upgraded to be able to transport nuclear weapons.

Russia will soon deliver nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus, according to President Vladimir Putin. As Putin announced at a meeting with Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday, “in the coming months” Russia will deliver the Iskander-M missile system to Belarus, which can also be equipped with nuclear warheads.

The Iskander-M could “carry both ballistic missiles and cruise missiles – both conventional and nuclear,” said Putin. According to Russian media, they have a range of up to 500 kilometers. The defense ministers of both countries should discuss details, said Putin.

Upgrade of fighter planes

Putin also offered Lukashenko to help upgrade Belarusian warplanes so that they can also carry nuclear weapons in the future.

The Belarusian army has many Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets, which could be “improved” accordingly, said Putin at the beginning of a meeting with Lukashenko in St. Petersburg. The modernization must be carried out in aircraft factories in Russia, and at the same time staff training can begin.