Belarus, Russia to cooperate in using GLONASS

Belarus and Russia have agreed to cooperate in using and developing the Russian global satellite navigation system (GLONASS). The relevant intergovernmental agreement was signed by Chairman of the State Defense Industries Committee of Belarus Sergei Gurulev and Head of the Federal Space Agency of Russia (Roscosmos) Oleg Ostapenko after the session of the Union State Council of Ministers in Moscow on 13 December, BelTA has learned.

The agreement is aimed at creating the organizational and legal basis for mutually beneficial cooperation in specific areas of joint activities concerning the use and development of GLONASS and relevant satellite navigation technologies.

Among other things the document envisages joint scientific research and R&D efforts in the area of satellite navigation, mutual exchange of scientific and technical information, experimental data, results of R&D efforts, materials, equipment, and software. The document will also render assistance to programs to train personnel, the exchange of scientists, technical specialists and other specialists, will enable mutual provision of technical assistance in addition to joint surveys of the navigation and information services market.

The agreement stipulates that GLONASS will be left under the jurisdiction and management of the Russian Federation. The Russian side will keep all the rights to the radio frequency spectrum that the International Telecommunication Union has allocated for the system’s operation.

In line with the document the Belarusian side will get access to standard precision GLONASS signals on a continuous, global, and unlimited basis in line with the current capabilities of the satellite system.