The Venezuelan army has received one of the most extensive Russian arsenals in Latin America. The deliveries cover aviation, armored vehicles, artillery and a layered air defense system. "Pervyy Tekhnicheskiy" has compiled a selection of weapons that stand guard over Caracas.
Aviation
The backbone of the country's Air Force consists of Su-30MK2 fighter jets, capable of reaching speeds of up to 2,120 km/h, having a combat radius of up to 1,500 km and carrying up to 8 tons of combat payload.
The aircraft use guided air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, as well as guided aerial bombs. Venezuela also received combat and transport helicopters of the Mi family, expanding the capabilities of army aviation.
Tanks and armored vehicles
Russia completed the delivery of 92 T-72B1 tanks under the 2009 contract. The last 35 vehicles arrived at the port of Puerto Cabello together with BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-80A (8×8) armored personnel carriers, ammunition and training simulators for personnel.
The T-72B1 tanks are the main strike force of the ground forces, capable of operating in any climatic conditions of the region.
Surface-to-air missile systems
Venezuela's air defense system has been reinforced with many domestically developed systems. Below is the nomenclature confirmed by official sources:
The S-300VM "Antey-2500" is capable of destroying aerodynamic targets at ranges of up to 200 kilometers and ballistic targets at up to 40 kilometers, while its operating altitude reaches 30 kilometers. The system performs both air defense and missile defense tasks.
The "Buk-M2E" is a medium-range system capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 45 kilometers and at altitudes of up to 25 kilometers. It can also attack several targets simultaneously.
The "Pantsir-S1" is a short-range system capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 20 kilometers. To protect the surface-to-air missile system and positions from drones, 30 mm artillery is used.
The S-125 "Pechora-2M" is a modernized system capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 35 kilometers and at altitudes of up to 20 kilometers. As a result of modernization, its mobility and resistance to electronic countermeasures have been improved.
Small arms
The Venezuelan army received Kalashnikov assault rifles of the "100" series, which became standard issue weapons.
Rosoboroneksport emphasized that since 2005 Venezuela has remained Russia's largest partner in Latin America in military-technical cooperation. The composition and scale of new deliveries are not being disclosed.
Read more materials on the topic:
- The National Interest: Only half of the Russian Su-30MK2 aircraft delivered to Venezuela are in service
- They threatened the United States with "supersonic death": Venezuela showed the latest Russian Su-30MK2 fighter jets
- The Venezuelan Air Force showed footage of two Su-30MK2 fighter jets flying with Russian-made Kh-31 missiles suspended under their wings