Includes a pic of Chavez toting an AK-103.CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that Venezuela will purchase new Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets this year, extending a military buildup that has raised concern among U.S. officials.
Chavez said the SU-30 jets [sic- it's Su-30, you morons] will replace a fleet of U.S.-made F-16s, which Venezuela has had trouble maintaining because the Bush administration has refused to sell Caracas parts.
Chavez did not say how many planes his government planned to purchase.
"We have decided to acquire Russian combat planes," he told hundreds of soldiers at a military base in the capital of Caracas. "The first shipment should be here before the end of the year."
Chavez has used surging oil revenues to modernize Venezuela's military, signing defense deals worth an estimated $2.7 billion (€2 billion) with countries including Russia and Spain.
Despite Washington's objections, Venezuela is purchasing 15 Russian helicopters for $200 million (€160 million), and officials say they hope to buy 18 more.
Washington announced last month it was curtailing arms sales to Venezuela, saying the South American nation has failed to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts.
Venezuela also is buying 100,000 Russian-made AK-103 assault rifles and plans to set up factories to produce Kalashnikovs under license. The first 30,000 of the assault rifles arrived June 3.
"We are preparing for the defense of sacred land," Chavez said Wednesday after personally distributing new rifles among the soldiers at Fort Tiuna, Venezuela's main military facility.
Chavez, a former army lieutenant colonel, has frequently warned that the United States could invade to seize control of his country's rich oil and natural gas reserves. He has called on his Venezuelans to prepare for a conflict by learning to use a firearm and joining the military reserve.
U.S. officials deny any such plan exists, but accuse Chavez, a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and posing a threat to stability in Latin America.
"Those who accuse us of being a threat to the continent are precisely the ones that have always been a threat to our continent and the world. We are not a threat to anyone," Chavez said while clutching an AK-103. "We are constantly being attacked by the most powerful empire on the planet."
Link
24 SukhoisMOSCOW, June 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is planning to increase sales of military hardware in Venezuela by offering the Latin American country a wide variety of advanced weaponry, the state-controlled arms exporter said Tuesday.
Rosoboronexport said it would focus on modern aircraft, including Su-27SK Flanker and Su-30MK fighters and the Mi-28N Night Hunter attack helicopter, as well as small arms, at the Expo Ejercito 2006 arms show on June 13-18 in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said earlier this year that his country could purchase Sukhoi aircraft from Russia to replace its contingent of U.S. F-16 multi-role fighters after Washington imposed an embargo arms sales to the country.
Military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Caracas has been on the rise since Rosoboronexport and the Venezuelan government signed contracts on arms supplies in 2005.
Russia delivered three out of 15 Mi-17 V5 Hip-H multipurpose helicopters to Venezuela in March 2006 and supplied the country with the first 30,000 of 100,000 AK-103 assault rifles under a $54 million contract in early June.
"The talks during the exhibition will lead to contracts on procuring Russian-made weaponry and military equipment and their integration into systems of national and collective security in the region," Rosoboronexport said.
The Russian arms export monopolist will also present at the show high-tech civilian equipment developed under conversion programs at defense-industry enterprises.
LinkOn Wednesday, June 14, President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela will purchase 24 new Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets this year, adding that it may purchase more. Chavez’ words come at the moment when Venezuelan government moves forward with plans to set up factories to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles under license.
Chavez said Wednesday the SU-30 jets will replace a fleet of U.S.-made F-16s, which Venezuela has had trouble maintaining because the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has refused to sell Caracas parts. “First we are going to buy 24 Sukhoi S-30’s and we are going to leave open the possibility of a future acquisition” of Sukhoi S-35s,“ Chavez said, quoted by Associated Press.
Speaking to hundreds of soldiers at a military base, Chavez said the first shipment of Russian-built jets would arrive in this oil-rich South American country by the end of the year.
Wearing olive green military fatigues and a red paratrooper’s beret, Chavez personally handed out newly-acquired Kalashnikov rifles to soldiers after being presented with his own brand new AK-103 assault rifle. Venezuela ”is going to set up the first Kalashnikov factory in South America,“ said Chavez, whose ”revolutionary“ government is buying 100,000 Russian-made AK-103 assault rifles along with ammunition and accessories. As MosNews reported, the first 30,000 of the assault rifles arrived on June 3.
Chavez used surging oil revenues to modernize Venezuela’s military, signing defense deals worth an estimated $2.7 billion with countries including Russia and Spain. Despite Washington’s objections, Venezuela is purchasing 15 Russian helicopters for $200 million, and officials say they hope to buy 18 more.
* That's not strictly so. Only a Sukhoi equipped with a KS-172-1 AAM could do that.Mr Chavez said Venezuela would receive 24 Sukhoi fighters later this year, with the option of buying more advanced models if oil finances allow.
The US recently banned arms sales to Venezuela, cutting off any chance of servicing existing F-16 fighter jets.
But Venezuela has since turned to Russia, receiving three helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles.
"First we are going to buy 24 Sukhoi S-30s and we are going to leave open the possibility of a future acquisition," Mr Chavez said in the country's capital, Caracas.
He spoke at a military ceremony where he received and posed with a Kalashnikov rifle.
Military build-up
Mr Chavez, who has publicly spoken of the need to upgrade Venezuela's military capabilities in the event of a US invasion, lavished praise on the Sukhoi fighters.
"An F-16 launches a missile, maximum distance: 60km (40 miles). Do you all know from what distance the Sukhoi S-30 can launch? 200km," Mr Chavez said.*
"That's to say, an aircraft carrier that stops in the Caribbean. They [the US] like to stop aircraft carriers in the Caribbean to invade."
Mr Chavez has insisted that Venezuela has no plans to use its military technology offensively.
The BBC's Greg Morsbach, in Caracas, says those who know Venezuela's president and his long career as an army officer are not surprised about his interest in military technology.
Washington has dismissed Mr Chavez's talks of a US invasion.
Mr Chavez's critics accuse him of turning Venezuela into a militaristic society
Anyway, I love the whole "US officials are concerned" angle. Oh my god, a squadron of Su-30s to replace a squadron of F-16s! Militaristic society! Terrorist state!
