Cuba announced that it has upgraded its aging S-125 Pechora air defense systems through technical cooperation with Belarus. The modernization enhances the system’s versatility and survivability, signaling a resurgence of Cuban air defense capabilities. This evolution reflects deeper military ties between Havana and Minsk, with broader implications linked to Russia, thereby challenging U.S. strategic interests in the Western Hemisphere.
The upgrade of Cuba’s S-125 Pechora missiles was confirmed by the Belarusian State Military-Industrial Committee. The modernization was carried out by ALEVKURP, a Belarusian defense company, which transformed the legacy system into the enhanced Pechora-2BM variant. Factory tests validated the system’s improvements, with four missiles successfully hitting their targets. The updated system retains its core air defense function while gaining the ability to engage land, maritime, and fixed-coordinate targets, increasing its tactical flexibility. Cuba is believed to operate around 144 S-125 launchers, long in service with the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).