The President stressed that the Armed Forces of Belarus should be ready to address the challenges of the 21st century. The protection of the national sovereignty is a matter of high priority. That is why the head of the state raised the issue of modernization of the Belarusian army, enhancing its social and financial protection. The financing of the Belarusian Armed Forces should correspond to the realities of the day. The President ordered the government to make detailed calculations of the support needed by the army. While the military staff will be curbed, the expenses on Air Force and Air Defense will rise. The President demanded to give a high priority to social protection of the officers. The technical means of the Belarusian army should be readjusted. Another objective is implementation of air defense agreements concluded with Russia and Russian President. Big attention will be paid to the preparation of joint exercise with Russia West 2013.













