"This is my weak arm":
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| Caribbean-Latin America | |
| Venezuelan Arms Buildup Under Way | |
| 2005-11-22 | |
| Forecast International, who publishes overall market research forecasts for various sub-markets within the global defense industry (vid. DID's recent UAV market coverage), turned its attention to Latin America in general, and Venezuela in particular, in a recent report. F.I. notes that over the past year Venezuela has adopted a military modernization program that could be worth as much as $30.7 billion through 2012, which would make the country the leading arms buyer in the region through the rest of the decade. DID has covered the recent freezing of a $100 million F-16 upgrade contract between Venezuela and Israel, at the insistence of the USA - but F.I. notes that many other programs are underway.... SU-30, Export StarFor instance, F.I. reports that Venezuela's Air Force is reportedly interested in 50 more Russian SU-30 or Chinese J-10 aircraft, and an equivalent number of Brazilian Super Tucano counterinsurgency aircraft. A Naval modernization program that could be worth up to $1 billion by 2010 for over 100 ships, submarines, and riverine boats. Meanwhile, the Army is reportedly interested in around 30 transport and gunship helicopters, and is in talks to buy light armored vehicles, artillery, and various electronics systems. An air defense upgrade program worth at least $150 million has also been launched with the purchase of Chinese JYL-1 long-range, 3-D radar systems for command of military air operations. Venezuelan caudillo Hugo Chavez' anti-American politicies and campaigns to destabilize neighbouring states have provoked concern about the country's military buildup in the USA and within Latin America itself. Unsurprisingly, F.I. notes that Brazil, China, Russia, and Spain appear to be the favored sources for Venezuela's procurements, rather than the USA. DID recommends FAV-Club as a good site to keep tabs on Venezuela's military programs and equipment. F.I. also notes that these military programs are fueled by, and also dependent upon, both continued high oil prices and Venezuela's ability to keep its production and distribution infrastructure operating effectively.
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| Posted by:lotp |
| #3 Arms Buildup Under Way "This is my weak arm": |
| Posted by: Raj 2005-11-22 18:16 |
#2 Ima not particularly worried. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-11-22 17:45 |
| #1 ...Venezuela's ability to keep its production and distribution infrastructure operating effectively. Time for some SEAL team 6 interferance. |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2005-11-22 16:34 |