Venezuela is examining Russian proposals to supply new fighter, trainer and transport aircraft and ground-based air defence systems against a backdrop of worsening political relations between President Hugo Chavez’s administration and the USA.
Sources in Venezuela say a planned August visit to Russia by Chavez could herald the signature of a defence package worth more than $5 billion. Washington’s mid-May decision to ban arms sales to Venezuela has spurred the country to look for other sources, since around 70% of its current military aircraft were manufactured in the USA or rely heavily on its provision of logistics support.
Russia’s Rosoboronexport has tendered proposals for the sale of 24 Sukhoi Su-35 or Su-30MKI fighters, or an equal number of refurbished Su-27SK/UBs, to replace the Venezuelan air force’s 21 Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighters. Chavez last year threatened to sell the aircraft to China or Cuba after Washington refused to supply spare parts.
Rosoboronexport is also believed to be offering the proposed Su-49 and Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced trainer and light strike aircraft, following Venezuela’s unsuccessful attempts to buy Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano. Its air force is also examining the procurement of Antonov An-72/74 tactical transports to reduce its current reliance on modernised Lockheed C-130Hs.
Additional Antonov models could be considered if a delayed deal with EADS Casa for 10 C-295 transports and two CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft falls through. The Venezuelan navy says the company has found replacements for the majority of US-sourced equipment, but that their engines pose a major stumbling block.
Source: Flight International
