On July 3, 2024, the Belarusian army showcased for the first time the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drone as part of its arsenal during the Independence Parade in Minsk. This event marked the 80th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi occupation. These drones, referred to as Geran-2 in Russian nomenclature, were introduced as a “new domestic development” in Belarus, now named Nomad.
The Independence Day parade in Minsk featured over 6,000 participants, including servicemen from Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The event displayed more than 300 units of military equipment, including the first appearance of Russian-origin Iskander-M systems. The presence of radiation hazard signs on the Iskander systems indicated Belarus’ potential possession of non-strategic nuclear weapons or the systems’ capability to use nuclear missiles.
Since 2016, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has aimed to update the country’s military capabilities, expressing interest in the Iskander-M systems. In June 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that these missile systems, including both conventional and nuclear-capable versions, would be transferred to Belarus. The transfer process began later that year, with the first systems officially handed over to Belarus by April 2023.
During the parade, at least four Geran-2/Shahed-136/Nomad loitering munitions were transported on SUVs, indicating Belarus’ ability to ensure the Nomad’s mobility and deployment readiness. Belarus had previously sought to purchase ready-made drones from Iran and acquire the technology for domestic UAV production. The announcer’s reference to these drones as “Geran-2” and a “new domestic development” suggests possible localized production in collaboration with Iranian or Russian specialists.