via Want China Times
Security forces in Venezuela are using Chinese military hardware such as the Norinco VN-4 armored vehicle and Shaanxi Y-8C transport aircraft to suppress nationwide anti-government protests, according to US analyst Richard Fisher in an article written for the London-based Jane's Defence Weekly.Lets put to one side the fact that the situation in Venezuela is of far more importance to the United States than the happenings in the Ukraine.
A photo taken on Feb. 21 and posted on Twitter showed "what activists described as Cuban special forces disembarking from Venezuela's new Shaanxi Y-8C transport aircraft," Fisher said. He added that Venezuelan interior minister Rodriguez Torres denied the deployment of Cuban special forces on Feb. 23, but the photo showed that President Nicolas Maduro is seeking support from Cuba and China to stabilize his rule amid the current wave of violence.
Venezuela purchased eight Y-8Cs from China in 2011. The planes can transport up to 18-20 tonnes of cargo. As for the VN-4, the Venezuelan National Guard introduced 141 vehicles back in 2012. The 4x4 9-tonne armored vehicle can carry up to eight personnel and is equipped with a light machine gun, according to Fisher. He said that the Chinese-made hardware has finally gained "'combat' experience" by being deployed to put down the social unrest.
"Chinese weapons' lack of combat experience has been a long-standing impediment to Beijing's efforts to win major deals on the global arms market," Fisher wrote.
China is planning to export its FC-1/JF-17 Xiaolong/Thunder fighters to Venezuela and has discussed the co-production of this fighter with Argentina. Meanwhile, China is looking toward Venezuela and Peru to be the buyers of its more advanced J-10 fighter. Fisher added that Peru is also considered a market for China to export its BP-12A short-range ballistic missile. China has also sold border surveillance equipment to Peru and Brazil.
To keep an eye on the situation, Washington has asked Beijing to hold six "Sub Dialogues on Latin America," Fisher said, with the most recent held in Beijing in November last year.
Lets ignore for the moment that Cuban Special Forces were used to put down protests in Venezuela.
Venezuela is moving from buying Russian kit to Chinese. What I'll find interesting is if they buy J-10's. How would they match up against Brazilian Gripens? Does anyone fly aircraft in the region that could over match them?
Additionally the thought that they could purchase ballistic missiles brings up all sorts of issues that aren't being considered today.
I've watched the happening in Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Peru with great interest. Venezuela needs to be added to the list.
If you add S. America to whats going on in the Pacific and Middle East, I think we have the makings of a worldwide arms race developing.
What the fuck ever happened to the Monroe Doctrine!
ReplyDeleteWell, Latin American nations do have sovereign rights to buy arms from whichever supplier they prefer that the US cannot infringe, so the US is in no position to complain. After all, the US does the same in Asia with the First Island Chain and the AirSea battle.
DeleteAnd the Monroe Doctrine covered European powers, not Asian powers.
'what happened to Monroe Doctrine' people in S. America now hate US more than the European powers as it supported just about every dictator as long as he served Us interests.
DeleteI disagree. The Pacific league of South American countries don't hate America at all. Chile,Peru and Colombia have free trade agreements with USA. What changed now is that those countries have also the more open economies of the region and they also have free trade agreements with pretty much the rest of the world like Europe, Japan and off course China, the main buyer of their commodities. The only reason they don't buy more american weapons is for the risk of embargo or support in the future, or the veto to newer versions by the american congress. Peru was eager to buy american 3D Radars and stuff like that. With the Russians, even if their stuff is not as advanced as the American, is cheap and good enough and they don't veto any non strategical weapon. China was not a main provider in the region for their quality problems, but now they are catching up with the Russians and with cheaper prices. That's why you start to see some Chinese weapons in their inventories. Venezuela, Argentina and Cuba are the exception with their bizarre social experiments. Bolivia don't count.
DeletePeru almost buy the Chinese MBT-2000 tanks 3 years ago. They even were presented in the militar parade. It was cancelled buy not for the American pressure. The Russians are the main providers of the Peruvian forcers. Onstead of the Chinese tanks Peru bought dozens of Russian helicopters and probably they will buy the T-90.
ReplyDeleteIn 2010 Peru was interested in the Super Hornets but the only thing they could offer were very old F-18C refurbished and not even considering the delays with the F-35. The same with transport airplanes. There was an scandal with crapy ones refurbished and totally over priced ans the Peruvian congress stopped that buy. At the end they bought brand new big Italian planes.
ReplyDeleteA Brazil vs Venezuela war is basically impossible while the current party is in power. Both governemnts (leftists) support each other, and both Brazil and Cuba funds venezuelan dictatorships expenses. And sadly, this kind of relationship will exist for at least one decade.
ReplyDeleteVenezuela has still got flying F-16s, mind you...
ReplyDeleteOn a good day, may 12 of their ancient Block 15 F-16As can fly.
DeleteThe rest are grounded to use as spare parts sources.