Venezuela Reacts to UK Warship near Disputed Guyanese Waters

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has called for a defensive action in the Atlantic Ocean following the arrival of a British warship (HMS Trent) near Guyana's coast. Maduro announced the deployment, involving 5,682 soldiers, three ocean patrols, seven missile-launching ships, 12 Sukhoi planes, and eight amphibious vehicles, as a measure to protect Venezuela's interests and sovereignty.

The tension between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo territory has resurfaced after Venezuela's decision to claim the region through a unilateral referendum. The Essequibo, a vast area rich in natural resources, has been historically disputed between the two nations, with Guyana asserting its territorial integrity based on an 1899 arbitration ruling.

Maduro vehemently criticized the arrival of the British warship, labeling it as a violation of recent bilateral agreements between Venezuela and Guyana aimed at resolving disputes through nonviolent negotiations. He considered the warship's presence a threat to peace and a breach of the established protocols between the neighboring countries.

In response, the United Kingdom urged Venezuela to cease its "unjustified actions" against Guyana, reiterating its support for Guyana's territorial integrity. The UK emphasized that the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was established through international arbitration in 1899, opposing Venezuela's recent referendum claim.

Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, addressing concerns, assured that his country had no intention of initiating offensive actions against Venezuela. He emphasized Guyana's commitment to maintaining stability, avoiding any actions that might escalate tensions, and adhering to the agreement to resolve disputes peacefully.

This renewed dispute over territorial control and boundaries has reignited longstanding tensions between Venezuela and Guyana. The disagreement, now intertwined with legal complexities, has led Guyana to seek validation from the International Court of Justice, further complicating the historical conflict over the Essequibo territory.

During the maneuvers in the Atlantic, in response to the British warship's presence off the coast of Guyana, Venezuela has deployed 3 ocean patrol vessels, 2 logistical transporters, 3 multipurpose ships, 6 K8 fighter aircraft, 5 F16 fighter jets, and 12 Sukhoi SU-30 fighter planes.

The recent naval presence and increased military activities in the region reflect the rising geopolitical tensions, underscoring the delicate nature of the longstanding territorial dispute and its potential implications on regional stability.

Venezuela Allocates $480 Million to Import 12 Su-30MK2 from Russia

Venezuela is to set aside $480 million to buy 12 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 in order to beef up its air force, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in Caracas on Friday.
According to the Venezuelan defense minister, the nation’s authorities deem important "the continuous strengthening of the republic’s defensive capability along with redoubled efforts to improve public health and education".
"Despite a global oil price slump and the economic war being waged on this country, the president realizes the necessity for the armed forces to have what they need to have to accomplish the mission assigned by the constitution," the defense minister stressed. Padrino said a new Sukhoi jet batch would beef up the 23-aircraft fleet in service with Venezuela now.
President Maduro had voiced his intention to acquire Su-30 fighters from Russia in September 2015 - right after an aircraft of the type crashed in the state of Apure for an unknown reason while on patrol along the Venezuelan-Colombian border.
Venezuela and Russia signed a contract for 24 Su-30MK2 aircraft in 2006. The delivery was fulfilled in 2008.
Venezuela is the Latin American leader in terms of Russian armament imports..
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the country in 2013-2014 took delivery of 12 S-125 Pechora-2M (SA-3 Goa) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems with 550 V600 (SA-3B) SAMs, 48 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems, 123 upgraded BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, including armored recovery vehicles, 1,000 9M117 (AT-10) Bastion antitank missiles (delivered in 2011-2013), three S-300VM (SA-23) SAM systems with 75 9M82M (SA-23A) and 150 9M83M (SA-23B) SAMs, 12 Buk-M2 (SA-17) with 250 9M317 SAMs, 12 9A52 Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems (in 2013), 114 BTR-80A armored personnel carriers (in 2011-2014) and 92 T-72M1M main battle tanks (in 2011-2013).
defense-aerospace

Venezuela to Buy at Least 12 SU-30

Venezuela will purchase at least 12 fighter jets from Russia, President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday.
On Friday, a Venezuelan Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crashed on the country's border with Colombia.
The Venezuelan government also plans to sign a contract with China on military equipment delivery, the president added. The equipment will be used to fight drug trafficking, particularly from Colombia, according to him.
sputniknews

Brazil, Venezuela evince interest in BrahMos missile

The supersonic cruise missile system BrahMos, which is a joint venture between India and Russia, has caught the attention of countries like Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and Brazil in Latin America and also of South Africa.
The LatAm countries have been in talks with officials from BrahMos and expressed interest in mobile autonomous launchers for coastal defence batteries, ship-based weapon complex for submarines and frigates. Recently, the Brazilian Navy official had discussions with the BrahMos officials about the possibility of buying the missiles from India.
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed by DRDO and Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The missile could be launched from surface, submarine or air. Latin American countries as well as South East Asian countries have expressed their interest for the missile particularly for their naval and coastal defence.
After Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first BrahMos-A missile-integrated Su-30MKI aircraft to the Indian Air Force, Indian and Russian designers concentrated on creating the supersonic mini-BrahMos (BrahMos-M) which will be marketed as BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missiles, meant to boost the defence capability of India’s Navy and Air Force.
Developed by the DRDO, NPO Mashinostroyeniya of Russia and BrahMos Aerospace, the new missile will have lighter weight and smaller diameter in comparison with BrahMos-A. Equipped with a compact engine it will reach speeds of Mach 3.3, carrying a payload of 300 kg to a range of 300 km. With a weight of 1.4-1.6 tons and a length of 6 m, the BrahMos-NG will be a breakthrough as it will meet the requirements of both the Indian Navy as well as the Indian Air Force.
financialexpress

Venezuela and Russia Hold Large-Scale Military Exercises After USA Executive Order

The Venezuelan military is conducting massive air defense and artillery drills involving visiting Russian troops and hardware.
The 10-day war games have been ordered by Venezuelan President, who spoke of pressure coming from the United States earlier this month.
The Venezuelan government has been concerned about US President Barack Obama's new executive order, published Monday, which described the South American country as "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security and foreign policy.
Around 10,000 Venezuelan troops are taking part in the massive military exercises, which also involve Chinese crews.
The drills come in the wake of a February visit by Russia's Defense Minister, who discussed military and technical cooperation with his Venezuelan counterpart in Caracas.
Venezuelan forces have shown increased interest in Russian military aid. Russian-made military equipment has substantially strengthened the capacity of Venezuela's armed forces.
Russia is actively pursuing defence cooperation with South American countries, which includes the sales of weaponry, the construction of naval maintenance and resupply facilities, as well as the occasional use of local airbases for hosting Russian strategic bombers on global patrol missions.
sputniknews

China sells 24 L-15 jet trainer to Venezuela

Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIG) posted a congratulatory message on its Weibo page which may confirmed its sale of 24 L-15 jet trainers to Venezuela.
alert5

Navantia to assist Brazil in repair of Venezuelan OPV

Navantia has signed an agreement with Brazilian company ECOVIX-ENGEVIX to assist with the repair of the Venezuelan offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Warao (PC 22).
The Spanish state-owned company, which built the Avante 2400-class vessel known as the Patrullero Oceanico para la Vigilancia de la Zona Economica Exclusiva (POVZEE) by the Venezuelan Navy, said it will be providing technical support and replacement parts for the vessel's propulsion and control systems.
The 2,400 tonne Warao was taking part in the 'Venbras 2012' bilateral exercise with sister ship Kariña (PC 24) and Brazilian Navy ships when it ran aground.
janes

Ruag to supply Dornier 228NG transports to Venezuela

The Venezuelan air force is to field 10 Dornier 228 turboprops for passenger transport duties, with Switzerland-based airframer Ruag Aviation having confirmed its receipt of a contract from the government in Caracas.
An initial two “pre-owned” 228-212s sourced from the commercial sector are due to be delivered by early 2014, while eight new-build examples in the improved 228NG configuration will follow from the third quarter of the same year. Signed in early October, Venezuela’s order represents Ruag’s first Latin American success for the new production standard, with the deal also covering personnel training, ground support equipment and spare parts.
Ruag 228NGs are in current active use with the Bangladesh navy (2) and German navy (1). Venezuela’s commitment for eight new aircraft will enable Ruag to produce a second batch of the type at its Oberpfaffenhofen site in Germany.
flightglobal

Fuerza Aérea Venezolana adquirirá 36 aviones de entrenamiento Diamond DA40

El comandante general de la Aviación Militar de Venezuela, informó que fueron aprobados los fondos para la compra de 36 aviones de entrenamiento primario Diamond DA40, fabricado por la austriaca Diamond Aircraft Industries.
Los DA40, al igual que 16 helicópteros de entrenamiento Enstrom 480B, producidos por la firma de propiedad china y de origen estadounidense Ernstrom Helicopter Corporation, también en proceso de adquisición, van a ser destinados para cursos de vuelo primario.
podermilitar

China ofrece a Venezuela el avión de entrenamiento avanzado L-15

Altos mandos de la Fuerza Aéra de Venezuela se reunieron con el Ingeniero General de la empresa China Catic, fabricante del entrenador aéreo avanzado L-15.
CATIC, ofrece a la Aviación Militar Bolivariana el avión de entrenamiento avanzado L15 el cual proporciona soluciones para la formación de pilotos de la tercera generación de cazas. El avión está diseñado adoptando la configuración aerodinámica moderna, dos motores turbofan, sistema fly-by-wire, y sistema integrado de aviónica.
venezueladefensa

Venezuela podría participar con aviones SuKhoi en próximas ediciones de las maniobras aéreas Cruzex

Venezuela no descarta la posibilidad participar en próximas ediciones del ejercicio Cruzex con los aviones Sukhoi 30MK2, según repuestas en sala de prensa de un alto mando de la Fuerza Aérea de Venezuela:
“históricamente Venezuela viene participando en la Operación Cruzex desde el año 2002 con los aviones F16, pero existe la posibilidad de seguir participando en futuras operaciones Cruzex (...) asistir con el Sistema Sukhoi". Estas son oportunidades para que los países de la región intercambien experiencias y afiancen lazos de amistad y cooperación militar. Esto fortalecerá a futuro un sistema de defensa de la región."
venezueladefensa

Further delays for modernisation of Russian Air Force Tu-160 bombers

The modernisation of 16 Tupolev Tu-160 'Blackjack' strategic bombers, which according to the long range plans of the Russian Air Force (VVS) should have been completed in 2017, may be delayed to 2019 or beyond.
At present there is still no finalised configuration as to what Soviet-era components will be replaced on these aircraft. Additionally, the manufacturer of the aircraft's Kuznetsov NK-32 engines is unable to come to an agreement with the United Aero-Engine Building Corporation (ODK) on the question of financing.
The testing of the design and prototype construction work is in its final phase,, but there are a number of components that still need to be replaced in these aircraft that are not available or are no longer in production. The specialists and engineers also state that a plan for the concrete details and schedule for the modernisation of these aircraft can only be determined by an agreement with the customer.
The recent flight of two Tu-160s to Venezuela were not any part of a flight test programme for new developed components] and that this was an ordinary flight.
The delays and problems plaguing this programme are not new. Just prior to the Moscow MAKS air show in August 2011, Russian news outlets stated that of the 16 Tu-160s still in VVS inventory only four were flightworthy. The main limiting factor is that most of the NK-32 engines had at that point reached the end of their service life. The Kuznetsov Design Bureau (OKB) that developed the engine and the KMPO production plant that built them during the Soviet period have not produced any new engines in more than a decade. The enterprises no longer have either adequate personnel or the machine-tooling to be able to manufacture them.
The company that inherited what was left of the Kuznetsov OKB and KMPO plants in the post-Soviet period has limited capability to conduct overhauls of the NK-32 engines for the Tu-160 fleet. The company was given a contract in 2011 to re-manufacture at least 26 of these engines, but was only able to overhaul four engines in two years.
Once the modernisation process begins the capacity of the overhaul plan allows for a throughput of only four to five aircraft per year and there must also be some minimal number of aircraft available as missile capable.
janes

Colombia says Russian TU-160 bombers violated its airspace

Colombia is preparing a letter of protest to Russia after two Russian bomber planes twice entered the nation's airspace without authorization when flying between Venezuela and Nicaragua last week.
The two planes crossed Colombian airspace on Friday flying from Venezuela to Nicaragua. They re-entered Colombian territory on their return journey but flew out of the zone when intercepted by two of Colombia's Kfir military planes.
The planes were Russian-made Tupolev Tu-160 bombers flying from the Venezuelan coastal city of Maiquetia to Nicaragua's capital, Managua. The sources said the bombers flew into Colombian airspace over its San Andres y Providencia archipelago in the Caribbean Sea.
reuters

Comienzan los ejercicios militares aéreo más importante de América Latina CRUZEX flight 2013

Las fuerzas aéreas de seis países suramericanos junto con las de Estados Unidos y Canadá iniciaron este lunes en el nordeste de Brasil el ejercicio militar aéreo más importante de América Latina, los “CRUZEX Flight 2013″ que se prolongarán por 11 días, hasta el 15 de noviembre, e implicarán 89 aviones y nueve helicópteros, además de más de dos mil militares.
La bases Aéreas de Natal y Recife acogen a partir de este lunes los ejercicios de guerra de las fuerzas aéreas de Brasil, Canadá, Chile, Colombia, Estados Unidos, Ecuador, Uruguay y Venezuela.
Argentina, cuya presencia estaba prevista, canceló a última hora su participación en el evento, aunque eso no modificará los ejercicios programados.
Las aeronaves de las diferentes fuerzas aéreas que participan en la prueba llegaron en los últimos días a las dos ciudades del nordeste de Brasil, entre las cuales un C-5 Galaxy de la Fuerza Aérea de Estados Unidos (USAF).
También se pudo ver la llegada de un avión de fabricación china Shaanxi Y-8, perteneciente a la flota de la Aviación Militar Bolivariana, nombre oficial de la Fuerza Aérea de Venezuela.
A estas dos aeronaves se sumaron algunos F-16 estadounidenses, así como aeronaves IA-58 Pucará y A-37 Dragonfly de Uruguay, además de los Súper Tucanos de Ecuador.
Como ejercicio previo al inicio oficial de CRUZEX Flight 2013, aviones de guerra de Brasil y Colombia volaron juntos el pasado sábado y, por primera vez entre estas dos fuerzas aéreas, traspasaron combustible a 5.000 metros de altura de unas aeronaves a otras.
La Aviación Miliar Bolivariana (AMB) participará en el ejercicio combinado con una flota de cinco cazabombarderos Lockeed Martin F-16 del Grupo Aéreo de Caza 16, más el apoyo del Y-8 del Grupo Aéreo de Transporte número 6.

Países y Aviones Participantes:

Brasil: 14 F-5M Freddom Fighter 7 AMX (A-1) 3 AMX-R (RA-1) 4 Mirage-2000C 5 A-29 Super Tucano 2 ERJ-145 AW&C (E-99) 4 UH-60L 4 Mi-35M (AH-2) 1 UH-1H 1 AS-332 Super Puma (H-34) 2 C-130 1 KC-130 2 C-235 1 C-295
Canadá: 1 CC-130J Hercules
Chile: 6 F-16 Fighting Falcon 1 KC-135
Colombia: 6 A-37 DragonFly 1 K-767
Ecuador: 3 A-29 Super Tucano
Estados Unidos: 6 F-16 Fighting Falcon 1 C-130H 1 KC-135
Uruguay: 3 IA-58 Pucara 3 A-37 Dragon Fly
Venezuela: 5 F-16 Fighting Falcon 1 Shaanxi Y-8

venezueladefensa

Russian Tu-160 Strategic Bombers Land in Nicaragua

Two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers arrived in Nicaragua on Thursday after taking off from an airbase in Venezuela.
The nuclear-capable bombers flew above the neutral waters of the Caribbean Sea, entered the airspace of Nicaragua and performed a planned landing.
The aircraft covered over 2,500 km during their three-hour flight from the Maiquetia airfield in Venezuela.
Earlier this week, the two bombers took off from the Engels airbase in the Volga region and covered a distance of more than 10,000 kilometers (over 6,200 miles) during a 13-hour non-stop flight to Venezuela.
Russian strategic bombers conducted a similar mission in 2008. It was followed by a visit to Venezuela by a Russian naval task force, which took part in joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy.
ria.ru

Russian Tu-160 Strategic Bombers Land in Venezuela/ Dos bombarderos rusos Tu-160 aterrizan en Venezuela

Two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers on Monday flew from an airbase in southwestern Russia and landed in Venezuela.
The nuclear-capable bombers, took off from the Engels airbase in the Volga region, flew over the Caribbean, the eastern Pacific and along the southwestern coast of the North American continent, and landed at Maiquetia airfield in Venezuela.
According to the Russian ministry, the bombers covered a distance of more than 10,000 kilometers (over 6,200 miles) during a 13-hour non-stop flight. Two NATO F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from Bodo airbase to monitor their flight near the Norwegian airspace.
The current mission was carried out in line with the program of combat training.
Russian strategic bombers conducted a similar mission in 2008.
The Tu-160 Blackjack is a supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber, designed to strike strategic targets with nuclear and conventional weapons deep in continental theatres of operation.
ria.ru

Dos bombarderos estratégicos rusos Tu-160 tomaron tierra este lunes en Venezuela tras despegar de una base aérea de la provincia de Sarátov y volar a lo largo de la costa suroeste de Norteamérica, informó el Ministerio de Defensa de Rusia.
Los Tu-160 llegaron junto a una aeronave Antonov-124 de apoyo logístico, otros dos bombarderos estratégicos, Tu-95MS, fueron los encargados de facilitar la comunicación en zonas remotas entre los centros de mando que intervinieron en la misión.
Los Tu-160 recorrieron más de 10.000 kilómetros en un vuelo que duró alrededor de 13 horas. Al sobrevolar el territorio de Noruega, fueron escoltados por dos cazas F-16 que despegaron de la base aérea de Bodo.
El Ministerio ruso subraya que todos los vuelos de aviones militares rusos se realizan siempre de estricta conformidad con los reglamentos internacionales sobre el uso del espacio aéreo.
El Tupolev Tu-160 (en ruso: Туполев Ту-160, designación OTAN: Blackjack2 ) es un bombardero pesado supersónico de geometría variable desarrollado por Túpolev en la Unión Soviética. Fue el último diseño soviético de bombardero estratégico, siendo el avión de combate más pesado construido.
Entró en servicio en 1987 y continúa activo en la Fuerza Aérea Rusa con un total de 18 unidades.
venezueladefensa

La Fuerza Aérea Venezolana adquirirá nueve aviones Hongdu K-8W Karakorum

La Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (FAV) adquirirá nueve aviones de entrenamiento/ataque ligero Hongdu K-8W Karakorum, de fabricación china, según el Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa.
Con los nueve K-8W se completará la flota actual de 15 aeronaves de ese tipo, para totalizar 24 unidades.
Los Karakorum son empleados por la FAV como entrenadores básicos y aviones de ataque ligero.
En 2008 la FAV adquirió 18 aviones K-8W, los cuales comenzaron a operar en marzo de 2010 y, desde entonces, han resultado destruidos tres aparatos en accidentes, aunque sin víctimas mortales que lamentar.
Los K-8W están asignados al Grupo Aéreo de Caza Nº 12, destacado en la base aérea Teniente Vicente Landaeta, de Barquisimeto.
Por otra parte, serán invertidos más de 4,5 millones de dólares, en partes y repuestos para los aviones de entrenamiento Alenia Aermacchi SF.260.
Además, una cantidad no especificada para la compra de partes destinadas a la recuperación de los aviones, también de entrenamiento, Cessna 182 Skylane y los ultralivianos Challenger LSSII Special, estos últimos, de la Academia Militar de la Aviación.
Los SF.260 y los Skylane forman parte de la dotación del Grupo de Entrenamiento Aéreo Nº 14, cuya sede se encuentra en la base aérea Mariscal Sucre, de Boca de Río, estado Aragua.
venezueladefensa

Aviación Militar Bolivariana recibe dos nuevos aviones Y-8F 200W

El Grupo Aéreo de Transporte Nº 6 de la Aviación Militar Bolivariana, recibió dos nuevas aeronaves Y-8F 200W de fabricación china.
Con esta adquisición, son un total de seis aviones que reforzarán las labores de ayuda humanitarias dentro y fuera de las fronteras, traslado de pasajeros, carga y ejecución de operaciones tácticas.
La entrega administrativa se realizó en la base aérea “El Libertador”, por representantes de la empresa CATIC al Comandante del GAT Nº 6
Se estima que a finales de este año, lleguen a Venezuela dos nuevas aeronaves, a fin de completar la flota de ochos aviones, adquiridas por Venezuela a China.
Jose M Ybarra-venezueladefensa

Venezuela suscribe con Ruag Aviation un contrato para la adquisición de Dornier 228 NG para la Aviación Militar Bolivariana

El máximo responsable de la Aviación Militar Bolivariana, materializó la firma oficial del contrato para la nueva adquisición de aeronaves Dornier 228 NG de RUAG Aviation.
Los aparatos serán entregadas al Grupo Aéreo de Transporte No.9
venezueladefensa

La Armada de Venezuela negocia la adquisición de nuevos helicópteros de ataque Harbin Z-9WA

La Armada venezolana estaría negociando la compra de ocho helicópteros de ataque Harbin Z-9, para brindar apoyo táctico a las unidades de la Infantería de Marina, según informa el sitio venezolano especializado en temas militares FAV-Club.com.

En caso de concretarse, se sumaría esta adquisición a la de ocho helicópteros Z-9 en version de guerra antisubmarina, anunciada recientemente.

La Infantería de Marina de Venezuela,, tiene contemplada la activación de tres grupos de Caballería Aérea. Actualemnte, el Comando de la Aviación Naval cuenta con el Escuadrón Aeronaval de Apoyo Táctico dotado de seis helicópteros Bell 412EP y seis Mi-17V5, cuya misión principal es prestarle apoyo a las unidades de la Armada e Infantería de Marina.

El Z-9 es la versión china del helicóptero francés Eurocopter AS-365 Dauphin, construida en China, bajo licencia, por Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation y cuyo primer vuelo se realizó en 1981.

En 2005, fue introducida la versión de ataque mejorada Z-8WA la cual dispone de una unidad electroóptica en la nariz compuesta por una cámara de TV de baja intensidad e infrarroja para guía de armamento en cualquier condición climática de día o de noche.

venezueladefensa