Belarus Army

The Ground Forces of Belarus function as the land warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of Belarus, operating under the command of the General Staff in Minsk. Operational command of ground maneuver formations is divided geographically into the Western Operational Command headquartered at Grodno, the North-Western Operational Command headquartered at Barysaw, and the Southern Operational Command. Mechanized formations include the 6th Guards Mechanized Brigade based in Grodno, the 11th Guards Mechanized Brigade in Slonim, the 19th Guards Mechanized Brigade in Zavorichi, and the 120th Guards Mechanized Brigade in Minsk. The Special Operations Forces Command directly oversees mobile formations, including the 38th Air Assault Brigade at Brest, the 103rd Airborne Brigade at Vitebsk, the 5th Spetsnaz Brigade at Maryina Horka, and the 37th Air Assault Brigade stationed in the Gomel region near the southern border.

Armored units rely on T-72B main battle tanks, supported by domestically upgraded T-72BM2 variants and Russian-supplied T-72B3 tanks. Mechanized infantry units operate BMP-2 and BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, along with BTR-80 and BTR-82A wheeled armored personnel carriers. Specialized reconnaissance and light mobility requirements are filled by domestically produced Caiman armored reconnaissance vehicles, MZKT Volat light armored vehicles, and upgraded BRDM-2 platforms.

Artillery arms field self-propelled systems such as the 2S1 Gvozdika, 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S5 Giatsint-S, and 2S19 Msta-S howitzers. Rocket artillery capabilities consist of BM-21 Grad, BM-27 Uragan, and BM-30 Smerch systems, complemented by the domestically integrated Polonez and Polonez-M high-precision multiple launch rocket systems. Ground force tactical missile formations operate Russian Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile systems. Air defense for ground formations relies on mobile Tor-M2K, Buk-M1, 9K33 Osa, and 2S6 Tunguska air defense platforms.

Belarusian ground forces maintain a unified military structure within the joint Regional Group of Forces alongside the Russian Armed Forces. Primary operational missions emphasize territorial defense, border security along boundaries with NATO states, and security along the southern border. Ground forces have not engaged in external combat operations, with deployments limited to CSTO stabilization operations in Kazakhstan and host-nation support for Russian force deployments.

Modernization programs prioritize indigenous upgrades, counter-unmanned aerial system tactics, and equipment transfers from Russia. The 140th Repair Plant in Barysaw conducts domestic modernization of armor, delivering T-72BM2 tanks equipped with updated fire-control computers, multichannel sights, and local reactive armor modules. State defense procurement programs focus on expanding domestic communications systems, integrating BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, and increasing drone operator training across maneuver units.