Belarus test fires long-range MLRS Polonez

The first live test of the multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) Polonez has taken place in Belarus. The first live fire test of the multiple-launch rocket system Polonez took place in Gomel Oblast on 16 June. As part of the life fire test unmanned aerial vehicles were used to feed real-time data about the target to the multiple-launch rocket system.
The live fire test was carried out after the official acceptance test in order to confirm the MRLS Polonez performance at maximum range. The system will enter into service of the Belarusian army in 2016. MRLS Polonez is designed to deliver strikes against enemy personnel in the open and in shelters as well as unarmored and armored fighting vehicles and special vehicles, artillery units, missile systems and air defense missile systems, aircraft at airfields. MRLS Polonez can deliver strikes as far as 50-200km with a high degree of precision. MRLS Polonez has been designed by Belarusian defense companies. One MRLS Polonez vehicle can deliver precision strikes against eight targets simultaneously, with deviation from specified coordinates staying under 30m. The precision as well as other praiseworthy parameters of the missile system allow accomplishing many tactical combat missions.
After the live fire test State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, Major-General Stanislav Zas noted that the test had been successful and the system was ready for deployment. According to Stanislav Zas, as the main customer the Defense Ministry has yet to make the final evaluation of the system's state and capabilities. “It is no secret that defense products may be tuned during army trials to match customer's requirements. It is part of the routine deployment procedure of new armaments,” he noted. According to the source, the new MLRS has greatly empowered the strategic deterrence capability of the Belarusian army. Apart from that, more than 20 Belarusian companies have been able to make considerable headway into missile engineering.
The State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus made it clear that the life fire test should not be construed as a demonstration of military force but a routine event arranged as part of the Belarusian army's rearmament. “We have increased the potential for deterring encroachments upon Belarus' independence. In line with instructions of the head of state the technical capabilities of our Armed Forces should match modern risks and challenges,” he said. “Today's event confirms that all the necessary conditions — research potential, modern technologies and manufacturing enterprises, highly trained specialists — are available in our country for the sake of successful implementation of these tasks,” noted Stanislav Zas.
Chairman of the State Defense Industries Committee, Lieutenant-General Sergei Gurulev noted that such armament systems are being developed in other countries, too. Two years ago Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko instructed the Committee to create a powerful high-precision missile system. “The task has been successfully accomplished by Belarusian defense contractors,” said Sergei Gurulev.