Belarus building major ammunition plant with Russian and Chinese support – BELPOL
www.ukrinform.net
Belarus is implementing a large-scale, classified state project to establish full-cycle production of artillery and rocket ammunition that could directly supply the Russian army in its war against Ukraine. — Ukrinform.

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“According to information available to us, since November 2023, Belarus has been implementing a classified state project codenamed Uchastok, which involves the creation of full-cycle production of Soviet-caliber artillery and rocket ammunition – 122 mm and 152 mm," said Vladimir Zhihar, an official representative of the Belarusian opposition initiative BELPOL.

"The project is strategically linked to the interests of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, as the final products are intended for export and use in the war against Ukraine,” Zhihar said.

According to him, the project is expected to be completed by December 2026 and could significantly strengthen the material and technical support of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Its implementation is based on a secret order by Aleksandr Lukashenko.

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The plant was founded by VolatAvto and the state-owned Precision Electromechanics Plant, and is overseen by the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus.

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Zhihar also noted that Belarus does not produce any of the critical components required for explosives, making the plant dependent on imported technologies and materials. The main partners in the project are Russia and China.

“Russia supplies production lines and components, is involved in personnel training, and will evidently be the main supplier of explosives and propellants. China, according to our information, is supplying filling lines for 122 mm warheads, participating in personnel training, and providing explosives. Negotiations are also underway with Iran and Pakistan,” Zhihar said.

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Additional facts, documents, and visual materials confirming the implementation of this project are presented in a BELPOL investigation published on the organization’s YouTube channel on Sunday.

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  • tardigrade@scribe.disroot.orgEnglish
    5·
    14 hours ago

    Maybe we’ll see a future of several global trade blocs with Cold War-like trade restrictions for dual-use goods between these blocs, accompanied by a tit-for-tat trade rather than deeper trade agreements?

    Maybe the EU will have some free trade agreements (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korean,and maybe some countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America like the Mercosur members), and more tit-for-tat trade with all others?

    Not necessarily ‘de-coupling’ but ‘de-risking.’ For Europe this would definitely mean EV, solar panels, cloud infrastructure, and other critical products will be made in Europe?

    If this is the way, it will be not easy for Europe, but a disaster for China and the US in the long run as they rely heavily on Europe in their product trade and service industries, respectively.

    Just my 2 cents.

    • plyth@feddit.orgEnglish
      1·
      2 hours ago

      it will be not easy for Europe, but a disaster for China and the US in the long

      China will be fine. Like building their own mobile phone chips, and now GPU chips, they will replace all European technology. The other direction, there is no strategic need to sell to the EU.

      The US sells overpriced gas to the EU and the EU promised investments to produce things locally in the US.

      The disaster is waiting for the EU.

    • Riddick3001@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      14 hours ago

      "Not necessarily ‘de-coupling’ but ‘de-risking.’ For Europe this would definitely mean EV, solar panels, cloud infrastructure, and other critical products will be made in Europe? "

      Yes, a very probable scenario under these circumstances. And we should be happy that we ( in theory within time and lots of efforts) can reach a reasonable autonomy, while many other countries can’t. Those who can’t will therefore most likely fall under one or another block.