The Belarus-class medium cruiser represents one of the initial starship designs that gained approval from the New Republic, experiencing a production run that was deliberately limited.
The Loronar Corporation initially conceived the Belarus-class as an enhanced version of their well-regarded Strike-class cruiser, with the New Republic fast-tracking its entry into production. The design was realized through a reduction in the number of turbolaser batteries, alongside the adoption of a singular, standardized design to facilitate modular construction. While requiring a slightly smaller crew, it offered decreased flexibility when it came to modular adaptations. Despite its lineage stemming from the earlier Strike-class cruiser, the Belarus class lacked the uniformity of the earlier design. The Belarus-class vessels were typically arranged in linear formations, with less heavily armed vessels providing protection to the front and rear of the fleet's arrangement. Several ships of this class were assigned to protect Mon Calamari towards the conclusion of the Yuuzhan Vong War.