Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's statement about working on a launcher for the Russian Oreshnik missile system may be both real and disinformation. This is reported by the military portal Defense Express, reports UNN.
Details
It is noted that a short video of the tests of the 6-axis chassis in Minsk, the purpose of which is not officially disclosed, recently appeared on the network. Although the filming time is unknown, analysts suggest that the footage may show the testing of the chassis for the launcher of the Russian Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile (also known as Cedar).
According to Defense Express, the Belarusian Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant produces chassis for various missile systems used by the Russian army. Among them are the Iskander operational-tactical missile system, the Bal coastal missile systems (for the Kh-35U) and Bastion, the A-222 Bereg artillery complex, the S-400 air defense system antenna post, etc.
If we take the available images in the public domain, we can conclude that the use of a special chassis from the Belarusian MZKT was also envisaged in the framework of the RS-26 Rubezh medium-range ballistic missile project, which the Russian Federation officially "suspended" in 2018, and which in fact became the basis for Oreshnik
The analysis of the chassis for the RS-26 Rubezh is complicated by the fact that the Russian and Belarusian sides demonstrated only running models in various configurations - with 8 or 6 axes, and not the final version of the mobile launcher. Accordingly, it is difficult to assess how significantly the possible option for Oreshnik differs.
But we can note that compared to the running model for the RS-26 Rubezh, the new chassis from the Belarusian MZKT shown above differs in at least the number of axles (six versus eight in one of the options) and their location. In addition, differences may be manifested in the power plant, the mass of the chassis, the speed of movement and the indicator of the useful load for this mobile PU
Defense Express suggested two options:
1. Lukashenko was telling the truth, but the launcher is not yet ready, and the chassis is only undergoing testing.
2. The chassis video is part of a deliberate disinformation from the Russian Federation. Its dissemination may be aimed at concealing the real parameters of the mobile launcher, which, in turn, would allow maintaining secrecy regarding the dimensions of the missile itself.
Reminder
On March 13, Lukashenko stated that Belarus is manufacturing elements for the new Oreshnik missile system. According to him, the production of several launchers is already nearing completion.