Reported Discussions Centre on $200 million Procurement

According to Belarusian media sources, as well as reports circulating in southern African capitals in mid-February, Angola is in discussions with Belarus regarding possible procurement of an air defence system with a potential contract value of around $200 million.

Government sources in Luanda suggest that there is a signed agreement between the government and the Development Bank of Belarus covering the acquisition of equipment and special purpose products by the armed forces. Although there are no indications that a contract has been signed – or is about to be – the fact that Belarusian company Tetraedr is said to be party to the agreement (as well as the export insurance organisation Beleximgarant) suggests that air defence systems are, indeed, on the discussion agenda. A Belarusian delegation visited Angola last year and held high-level discussions on a wide range of issues, including the potential for establishing repair and maintenance facilities for military equipment, including air defence systems.

The Tetraedr Unitary Enterprise has been supplying upgraded S-125-2TM PECHORA-2TM missiles to export customers, including the armed forces of Kazakhstan, since 2006. The missile – an uprated version of the SA-3 GOA – has a maximum firing range of 35km and the ability to engage two targets simultaneously.