MINSK, December 10. /TASS/. All components of the Oreshnik missile launcher are manufactured in Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko stated.
"All the components of the Oreshnik missile launcher are Belarus-made, except for the missile itself. This represents the highest level of localization. I told him [Russian President Vladimir Putin]: 'The missile is out of the question. If necessary, we can produce it together; we have enough expertise in this field, and we will assist, just like with the nuclear power plant. But we can produce the launcher: our Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant can do it. And it manufactures even more advanced equipment. So let’s move forward together'," the BelTA news agency quoted him as saying.
According to Lukashenko, Belarus would never be able to create such a weapon "from scratch to a missile" because it would require technologies and a huge amount of money. "And that's why, when such a question arose, thanks to Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], he reacted to it and said 'yes,'" the Belarusian leader said.
"Of course, we will make ourselves a launcher. And the Russians will give us the missile for free. It will be in the second half of next year. We're waiting for that. We'll wait and see what happens," he pointed out.
Lukashenko recalled that the Oreshnik missile proved its effectiveness during the test launch on the Yuzmash plant in Ukraine. "There was a big plant there, four to five floors down into the ground. Now it’s gone. One strike with the Oreshnik missile, and the plant is practically completely gone. All the underground floors," the Belarusian president emphasized.
He also listed the reasons why Belarus asked Russia to deploy the missiles in the country. "I told him [Putin]: 'Why are we so worried? Tomorrow, the Americans and Germans, as they themselves said, will deploy similar weapons, intermediate-range missiles, in Europe. These are not Oreshnik missiles, but a similar type. We will simply retaliate’," Lukashenko explained.
According to the Belarusian leader, he believes that the deployment of Oreshnik missiles in the country would have a deterrent effect. "If we have an ordinary powerful weapon, the Poles will think twice before invading our country with tanks bought from [South] Korea to America, or some other infantry fighting vehicles, missiles, and so on," Lukashenko said. "Because the response will be serious," he emphasized, adding that the Oreshnik missile cannot be intercepted.