{"id":499287,"date":"2025-11-28T16:31:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reform.news\/?p=499287"},"modified":"2025-11-29T22:48:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T19:48:04","slug":"viktor-lukashenka-finds-a-new-partner-or-how-a-belarusian-cruise-missile-reached-dubai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/viktor-lukashenka-finds-a-new-partner-or-how-a-belarusian-cruise-missile-reached-dubai","title":{"rendered":"Viktar Lukashenka Finds a New Partner, or How a Belarusian Cruise Missile Reached Dubai"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Specialized media around the world are discussing a sensation at the Dubai Airshow 2025 \u2014 a new strike system based on the low-cost LCCM (Low Cost Cruise Missile) Mk2 developed by the company E-System Solutions. Reports describe it as a joint Belarusian-Emirati project capable of accurately hitting targets at distances of up to 1,000 km. Preparations for range testing are currently under way.<\/p>\n

Who stands behind the missile system with its advanced tactical and technical characteristics?<\/p>\n

Habib Boukharouba<\/h2>\n

Reports<\/a> describe E-System Solutions almost as a startup recently created by Belarusian and Emirati specialists. That is not entirely accurate.<\/p>\n

There are few references to the company online, but it is known to have existed at least since 2015, according to the first copy<\/a> in the Web Archive. The description states that the official website, e-system.ae, was created in 2014, although it is currently unavailable.<\/p>\n

The chief executive<\/a> of E-System Solutions is Habib Boukharouba<\/strong>. According to LinkedIn records, at least four other people also work for the company: Mathieu Zandotti<\/strong> from Abu Dhabi (Junior Analyst); an employee in Dubai listed as an Administration Executive who has hidden his name on LinkedIn; Rayane Kadi<\/strong> from Abu Dhabi (Business Development Manager); and another anonymous employee based in South Carolina holding a Network Support position.<\/p>\n

The most notable among them is Habib Boukharouba, a former French Air Force pilot of Algerian origin who entered the arms business in the early 2000s. He previously owned a company called Griffon Aerospace. He still owns a similarly named company registered in the UAE in 2008 \u2014 Griffon Aerospace Middle East.<\/p>\n

Media outlets refer to Habib Boukharouba as the \u201cfather\u201d of the Chadian Air Force.<\/p>\n

Idriss D\u00e9by, the dictator of this Central African country and also a former pilot trained in France, concluded a contract<\/a> with Griffon Aerospace in the mid-2000s for the overhaul of one of Chad\u2019s two abandoned PC-7 training aircraft. Chad later acquired another PC-7 on the civilian U.S. market through Habib Boukharouba, as well as a more powerful PC-9 directly from Pilatus in Switzerland.<\/p>\n

Using these aircraft, together with roughly 50 French, Mexican and Algerian instructors and ground personnel hired by Griffon Aerospace, the young aviation unit was officially declared an \u201cair force\u201d in 2006 and performed effectively in operations against insurgents.<\/p>\n

Boukharouba also arranged for his staff to adapt one Mi-17V-5 transport helicopter and three Mi-24 attack helicopters to carry U.S.-developed Mk.81 and Mk.82 bombs obtained through a French Griffon partner with links to Pakistan. The company modified the cockpits of all three attack helicopters to make them compatible with night-vision goggles that Chad purchased from Israel. Additional acquisitions included Su-25, MiG-29 and Alenia C-27J Spartan aircraft in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

In 2008 an unfortunate incident occurred when a journalist reached a Chadian air base near Ab\u00e9ch\u00e9 and photographed the \u201cSwiss\u201d PC-9 of the Chadian Air Force loaded with Mk.81 bombs. The images triggered a scandal in Switzerland, which had sold the aircraft on the condition that the Chadian government would not use it in combat. As a result, all Griffon personnel left Chad by March 2008. Paris later filed a lawsuit against Boukharouba for exporting weapons without official approval. His business in France collapsed, and he was forced to emigrate to the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

Successful Business in Dubai<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Judging by the publications in the blog of Habib Boukharouba, his companies continue to trade in weapons. The range of armaments is extremely broad, and Mr Boukharouba and his staff present military products as their own developments.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrong presence for ESS at Dubai Airshow 2025 this year. Being on-site allowed me to directly support our teams and follow the interest around our latest developments.<\/em><\/p>\n

ESS showcased several major updates, including the naval configuration of the Delta Mk1\/2\/3 Light Cruise Missile Eco System, enhancements to our FPV platforms and loitering munitions, the Shadow AI self-protection jammer, our MRO capabilities for legacy fighter aircraft & helicopters, and the DART multi-purpose rocket.<\/em><\/p>\n

Engaging with partners and visitors throughout the show gave a clear picture of the growing momentum around the ecosystem we\u2019re building internationally,\u201d<\/em> the company\u2019s Business Development Manager Rayane Kadi wrote<\/a> in his LinkedIn blog a week ago.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Employees of E-System Solutions with partners.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But in the media Habib Boukharouba more often appears in connection with opaque arms deals in various parts of the world.<\/p>\n

In 2015 his name was mentioned<\/a> in relation to a controversial helicopter procurement for Algeria.<\/p>\n

In June 2023 Indonesian media reported<\/a> that E-System Solutions played a key role in an agreement between Qatar and Indonesia on the purchase of 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and their transfer aboard An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft. Reports described Boukharouba as a successful Dubai-based businessman specialising in the sale and charter of cargo aircraft.<\/p>\n

It was claimed that Indonesia\u2019s then Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto<\/b> (he became the country\u2019s president in 2024) was a business partner of Habib Boukharouba. The deal ultimately collapsed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Belarusian Link<\/h2>\n

We were unable to find direct evidence indicating that any Belarusian citizen holds a stake in, or otherwise has a direct connection to, the Emirati company E-System Solutions. But the products presented by Habib Boukharouba bear a suspicious resemblance to developments of the Belarusian defence industry.<\/p>\n

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The E-System Solutions stand next to the Beltechexport stand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Judge for yourself. The SHADOW AI Land System<\/a> from E-System Solutions strongly resembles the mobile EW station \u201cT\u201d<\/a> produced by the state-owned Belspetsvneshtechnika enterprise, while the DART Multi Purpose Rocket<\/a> appears to be the SAPPHIRE MGU<\/a> multi-purpose grenade-launching system from the same company. The network-centric tactical two-container strike launcher<\/a> looks very much like the Shershen anti-tank system, and so on.<\/p>\n

One of the most prominent offerings from E-System Solutions in recent months is a modernised version of the Buk-MB2K missile system equipped with the 9M318 missile. A fully operational combat-ready system was presented at a military equipment exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2025. Local media described<\/a> the developer as a \u201cMinsk-based defence company E-System Solutions,\u201d which operates in Indonesia through its subsidiary PT E-System Solutions Indonesia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n