The Venezuelan Navy needs to maintain the combat capability of its aging fleet. However, due to Western sanctions, its leadership has to modernize ships based on current capabilities. This involves equipping ships with Soviet and Iranian weapons, writes military expert Bernardo de la Fuente in an article for Defensa.
The Italian Lupo-class frigates, which once formed the backbone of the Venezuelan Navy, have been officially decommissioned. Some of their functions have been transferred to the Avante-class "Guaiquerí" patrol ships. However, they have lost their Western weapons systems.
Currently, the Avante 2400 project ships are equipped with Soviet ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns, Iranian SM-90 missiles, and Italian B515/Ilas 3 torpedo launchers.
Caracas cooperates with Moscow and Tehran, which provide the country with military-technical assistance.
The Venezuelan Navy does not have submarines, oceanographic vessels, and naval aviation does not have patrol aircraft.
All this limits the ability of the naval forces to control the coastline and respond to external threats.
The Soviet ZU-23 23 mm anti-aircraft gun consists of 2 2A14 automatic cannons, a machine, a sight, and a platform on the move. It was adopted in 1960.
ZU-23 characteristics:
- Rate of fire — 2000 rounds per minute.
- Installation weight — 950 kg
- Projectile weight — 190 g
- Firing range — 2.5 km
- Crew — 5 people
- Road transport speed — 70 km/h
Read more on the topic:
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