On November 25, 2025, Belarus took delivery of an additional Tor-M2 air defense missile battery from Russia, further increasing the number of operational batteries in the country to eight. The previous delivery occurred in November 2024, marking the last batch of the system received before this shipment. The initial agreements for Belarus to acquire Tor-M2K systems were signed in 2015 during the MAKS-2015 air show, with the first units entering service in 2016. The acquisition of additional batteries aligns with prior announcements about the creation of a unified air defense system within the country, suggesting that further orders could be possible.
The Tor-M2 system is a short-range, low- to medium-altitude surface-to-air missile platform capable of engaging a variety of aerial targets, including airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and short-range ballistic projectiles. Originally developed in the Soviet Union under the designation 9K330 Tor, it is known in NATO reporting as the SA-15 Gauntlet. The system is designed to operate in all weather conditions, during nighttime, and in electronic warfare environments. Tor-M2 can detect targets while on the move, although firing typically requires a brief stop. The system features rapid reaction times and the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
The Belarusian Tor-M2K variant is mounted on a wheeled 9A331MK chassis produced by MZKT and carries two missile modules, each equipped with four 9M331 missiles. The system includes digital fire control, all-weather optical tracking, and automated operational features. These capabilities allow the battery to engage various aerial threats with high efficiency.
Colonel Pavel Grebenchuk, commander of the air defense brigade operating the system, stated that the personnel are trained to operate the new battery and that the system has demonstrated its effectiveness during operational exercises and live-fire tests. The delivery is part of ongoing military-technical cooperation between Belarus and Russia, focusing on the integration and modernization of air defense assets.
Over the years, the Tor-M2 system has undergone continuous upgrades. The latest variants include improved radar coverage, multiple guidance channels allowing engagement of several targets at once, and protection against electronic countermeasures. The missiles used in these systems have a maximum range of 16 kilometers, can reach altitudes up to 10 kilometers, and attain speeds of up to 1,000 meters per second. These specifications make the system suitable for defending against a range of aerial threats in complex operational environments.
The November 2025 delivery underscores Russia’s ongoing role as the supplier of Tor-M2 systems to Belarus and reflects broader regional efforts to maintain and enhance short-range air defense capabilities. With this addition, Belarus continues to expand the operational reach of its air defense batteries while maintaining interoperability with Russian-made systems.
