South American Arms Race

[SAS73]

Sukhoi Su-30 For Ecuador?

The business with Russia it will be for 6 or 12 SUKHOI Su-30 MK2 for the FAE for a price around USD$200 a USD$500 millones.

http://en.rian.ru/papers/20091027/156606293.html

Quote:
 However, Moscow also expects Ecuador to sign other contracts. A source at Russian Technology said Russia could supply six Su-30MK2 Flanker multirole fighters, several helicopters, and air defense systems to Ecuador, which would increase the value of their military cooperation to over $200 million.

Also Correa will visit Moscu to seek the shopping of two helicopters Mi-17 Hip.

Quote:
 The Ecuadorian officials plan to sign the contract, which was initialed last week, for the delivery of two Mi-17 Hip multirole helicopters for its Defense Ministry's civilian purposes, said a representative of the Russian state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

So the FAE is looking forward for
6 Mirage 50 from Venezuela
12 Cheetahs from South Africa
12 Panteras from Chile
24 Super Tucanos from Brazil
3 MA-60 from China
2 Mi-17 from Russia
6-12 Su-30 from Russia.

Thats on top of the current fleet of

12 Mirage F.1
14 Kifir CE

What is Ecuador expecting?

[SAS73]

Well it is confirmed that the President of Ecuador Rafael Correa just signed today the contract with Russia to buy two Mi-17 Military Helicopters

[SAS73]

Grant says Venezuelan military aircraft to Ecuador includes missiles
Translation Bye Google
Published 29/Octubre/2009 | 15:07
The donation of six Mirage fighters from Venezuela to Ecuador includes missiles for such aircraft, today unveiled the second commander of the Venezuelan Military Aircraft, General Jose Gregorio Perez, during the delivery of the first three devices.
"With missiles also going to hand to Ecuador (aircraft) will have greater defense capability," the official told reporters at a base in the Ecuadorian town of Taura, 280 km southwest of Quito.
Perez, who did not specify the number of missiles, Mirage said the 50 are "high performance", develop a rate twice that of sound and have "deep strike capability."
"It's a pride that will continue to meet security and defense work in" Ecuador, "a country more than brother," he said in a speech.
The officer noted that presidents of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez and Ecuador's Rafael Correa, has created "a relationship that allows us to do this type of exchange" and proclaimed the slogan "homeland, socialism or death".
The first three planes arrived today crewed by Venezuelan pilots, three days later than planned due to a dispute over permission to Colombia to cross its territory.
Chief Air Operations Command and the Defense of Ecuador, General Alonso Espinosa, said the Venezuelan grant "covers a big weakness that had Ecuador in capability of air-sea attack.
"That is, to respond in case there is an enemy fleet which is coming up to block our sea lines of communication," he said. (AFP)

[SAS73]

Chavez to troops: Prepare for war with Colombia
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday ordered Venezuela's military to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Colombia, saying his country's soldiers should be ready if the United States attempts to provoke a war between the South American neighbors.
Chavez said Venezuela could end up going to war with Colombia as tensions between them rise, and he warned that if a conflict broke out "it could extend throughout the whole continent."

"The best way to avoid war is preparing for it," Chavez told military officers during his weekly television and radio program. Venezuela's socialist leader has also cited a recent deal between Bogota and Washington giving US troops greater access to military bases as a threat to regional stability.
The government of Colombian President Alvaro rejected what it called "threats of war from Venezuela's government," saying it would protest Chavez's comments to the Organization of American States and the UN Security Council.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1257455214760&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
 
 

[SAS73]

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Venezuela deploys more than 15,000 troops on border with Colombia and Brazil

November 5th, 2009

The Venezuelan government announced today that ordered the deployment of "over 15,000" troops from the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) in states bordering Colombia and Brazil to strengthen the fight against illegal groups, drug trafficking and illegal mining. Venezuelan Vice President Ramón Carrizález, said Thursday was activated "Operation Sierra Century", held cyclically possible to detect and destroy coca and poppy crops in the Sierra de Perija, in Zulia state bordering Colombia. Also called "Operation Boquete" in the states of Apure and Tachira, bordering Colombia, "to identify and destroy clandestine airstrips that could be used by drug trafficking" in such areas, he said.The killing in recent weeks in Táchira nine Colombian, a Peruvian and three Venezuelans, two of them military, has been assigned by the Venezuelan authorities to "paramilitary activities" from Colombia, so it has announced the strengthening of the security in the area.Carrizález also reported the activation of "Operation Blue Gold" in the state of Bolivar, bordering Brazil, to address the illegal exploitation of gold and the mineral coltan, considered a vital strategic resource in the manufacture of advanced electronic components. "Having this mineral have been overthrown governments, political leaders have been killed in Africa, is a strategic mineral, a super conductor which is used in missile guidance, in satellites, cell phones, electronic equipment of any kind," said Carrizález, according to the state Bolivarian News Agency (ABN).
Source: EFE

[SAS73]

Tachira: Deployment status conforms prewar state

November 6th, 2009

140 km where monitors FAN
The 140 kilometers of border line separating the state of Tachira of the Colombian department of Norte de Santander, besides being the main door that connects the country with the rest of the continent, the land border is most active in South America. To this we must add that "national borders are the only truly dynamic", as the expert on geopolitics Ruben Carpio Castillo. For Rocío San Miguel, president of the NGO Social Watch for Security, Defense and Armed Forces, there is a "pre-war status at the border" which is "worrying".
The situation becomes more complex
The political and ideological confrontation between the governments of Colombia and Venezuela, coupled with ignorance, in fact, by the national government and the official sector, the legitimate authority of the governor of Tachira, Cesar Perez Vivas, make the situation becomes much more complex and acquires the status of crisis. At this time, the Venezuelan army has deployed in the region the Second Infantry Division, with its command based in San Cristobal, Tachira, and jurisdiction in the three Andean states, and it frames, among other units, the 21st Brigade Infantry (San Cristobal), the 22nd Infantry Brigade (Merida) and the 25th Brigade of Carib-old Hunter-(La Fria, Tachira). The favorite remains the airbase "Mayor Buenaventura Vivas" in Santo Domingo (Táchira). While the National Guard with the Regional Command No. 1 (Core 1), in San Cristobal, with detachments located throughout the Andean region. There is, equally, the Theater of Operations No. 2 Operational Strategic Command (SOC) of the FAN, located in La Fria.
Source: Carlos E. Hernandez - Notitarde

Naval Aviation units deployed on the border

November 6th, 2009

Fight against drug trafficking
The Naval Aviation Command units deployed six carriers, three strategic operations taking place on the border with Colombia, to the crisis that exists in that area.
The unit commander, CA Wolfgang Lopez Carrasquel, detailed that were sent to different regions' four MI-17 helicopters and two 412 ".
In operations, called "Sierra", "Blue Gold" and "Boquete", also involve other units of the National Armed Force (FAN). He said the military chief that the strategy aims to "support Operational Strategic Command (CEO) in three stocks that are running nationally in conjunction with the National Anti-Drug Office (ONA), to give a blow to scourge of drugs ".When asked about the addition of new equipment to the unit of the Navy, CA Lopez Carrasquel reported that "a plan is being implemented through the vice presidency of the Republic, for the recovery of some units that will help increase our performance response capacity.He stressed that although there are proposals to deal with new equipment, can not detail the characteristics for security reasons. The CA Lopez Carrasquel indicated that this component of the Navy has helicopters for antisubmarine warfare, to fight air to surface and we are giving support and land and sea rescues.
Source: Virginia Garcia - Notitarde

http://www.fav-club.net/

[SAS73]

Chavez readies for 'war'

BOGOTA — Colombia has said it will seek UN help after Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez instructed his military to ready "for war."

"Faced with these threats of war by the government of Venezuela, the government of Colombia is weighing heading to the Organization of American States and UN Security Council," said a statement from President Alvaro Uribe, read out by his spokesman Cesar Velasquez.

"Colombia has not made nor will it make any bellicose move toward the international community, (and) even less so toward fellow Latin American nations," the statement said.

"The only thing we are interested in is defeating terrorism related to drug trafficking, which has been so unfair to Colombians for so many years."

Colombia, the statement added, "remains ready for frank dialogue, achieving greater understanding and to the rules of international law."

Hours earlier, Chavez urged his military leaders to prepare "for war" and to ready citizens to "defend the homeland," as tensions continue to mount over fractious ties with neighboring Colombia.

"Let's not waste a day on our main aim: to prepare for war and to help the people prepare for war, because it is everyone's responsibility," Chavez said during his weekly radio and television show "Alo, Presidente."

The comments come at a tense time for the region as Colombia signs a controversial military agreement with the United States to let US forces use seven military bases in Colombia for anti-drug operations.

Chavez has repeatedly voiced deep fears of US encroachment in the region.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...wJ07CtxrKb_JbQ

[SAS73]

I got this from another web forum, And I think its very interesting.
 

I don't know if you understand this news tonight or not, but it's already happened. Colombia already deployed two battalions to the border and the formal complain is already in the UN security council, plus there are news tonight that chavez is still moving tanks to the state of Zulia, border with the Colombian department of Guajira. There had been blah blahs before like last year's joke(Chavez sending 10 tank battalions) that never arrived and his continue bad-mouthing the "Evil Empire's" ambition of Invading Venezuela and else.

But this time, things have gone from words to actual aggression. The Colombian government had not said anything (Chavez's insults and provocations due to the electric, water and food crisis that venezuela has) until yesterday when they actually threatened at gunpoint the civilians. Now that, and the military use of explosives in the border are a violation of international law and puts him in state of belligerency with the Republic of Colombia. I'm just telling you what I'm seeing and hearing down here. I also talked to some friends in the venezuelan side of the border and they're outraged for this kind of action and what that could mean for them. As far as I know, things could get really hot in the next couple of days... see if you can get some other responses from users who live down here in Colombia and ask them.


PS: Uribe has kept his mouth shut from weeks ago and hadn't even mentioned venezuela and has been instead working on a health reform that's causing big issues here and not a word of Chavez has even left his mouth, and it is Chavez the one who has been insulting in a "daily basis" the Colombian government and its citizens, so I think it's a little unfair to say "they both", as some people have been using that language and any person from latin america can corroborate what I'm saying

PS2: Uribe hasn't even talked about re-election in more than 8 months ago and has repeately asked congressmen and his supporters to push on the reforms on the Justice system and health reform, so I don't know where this whole "Both" came all of the sudden to excuse chave's rudeness and narcissism.

PS3: 1. From reading and seen here first sight about the Colombian Armed forces, I'd dare to say they're as good as the IDF in trainning and capability as well as experience. And with a force of 435.000 armed forces vs. 85.000 venezuelan armed forces, there would be little need for the US direct intervention. 2. There are no US Bases in Colombia(there is an agreement so that US Intelligence planes can land in colombia, but keeping an armed personell no more of 800, and there's only 235 militarty advisors in colombia, so I doubt they would be heading to the frontlines), it's all been a biased created by chavez so that he can excuse his actions like the one yesterday and the ones that will keep coming. 3. All Colombia needs is air support to control Chavez's Sukhoi which would definitely have the advantage vs the Israeli Kfirs C.10. In that sense, the US could help colombia by keeping those Sukhois off the air. Even still, there is a flaw in Chavez's perfect airforce. They claim to have F-16s and the SU-30s available for combat, but according to one of my friends (who is a Lt. in the Bolivarian Airforce and whose name I won't reveal to expose him since he thinks too, that going to war with Colombia is maddness) said the following: Out the 12 F-16s venezuela still has, only five are in condition to fly, but they only have about 150 more hours of fly time before they need maintenance (US BAN ON ARMS TO VENEZUELA) and that those planes most likely would not participate in a conflict. and if they do, they would have a hard time with the Kfir.c10 with BVR capability.(Elta EL/M-2032 radar + Python V and Derby missile). The SU-30s are having big issues with the salty environment of the Caribean and they are literally "Rusting" and are trying to address this issue. And out of the 24 SU-30s chavez purchased, only "ONE" has full equipment and arms and is ready for operations. The rest of them are still wating for the weapons to come once their "commander in chief" decides to assign funds to equip them. So really the only threat would be their tanks which would "sort of" give them the advantage in the battlefield, although I don't know what 50 old AMX-30 can do in a wide operation's theather. So you see, Colombia may or may not need the US assistance in dealing with Venezuela given the case. But if there is assistance, it'll probably be most likely intell and radar jamming(electronic warfare) to blind whatever Chavez may have left to throw at the Colombian armed forces. That's why he is so pissed about the US-COLOMBIA agreement because it is this type of platform that Colombia will allow to fly and station in its bases (E-3, P-3 ORION, ETC..) and how that will put him in dissadvantage against Colombia and how they will reveal his secrets (Phantom flights to Iran with Uranium, Drug Dealing through his borders, Aiding terrorist, etc..) so I really doubt anyone of the us forces would die or even be bothered by whatever chavez may want to throw at us here.

[SAS73]

Venezuela purchase  53 Russian helicopters


The first batch of 50 Russian helicopters it bought between 2005 and 2006, the Venezuelan government will soon add other aircraft of that type, model, 'MI'.

The Russian ambassador to Caracas, Vladimir Zaemskiy, told a rare news conference that the contract for the new acquisition is "ready" but did not say when the new batch will start arriving in Venezuela.

What I said is that the new helicopters would be used for humanitarian missions, rescue and surveillance, but also military, so that these helicopters are considered "multi".

The purchase of these 53 aircraft, an indeterminate number of air defense, plus a group of 92 T-72 tanks will be purchased by Venezuela with a loan of 2,000 million granted by the Russian government.

This scheme has already been used earlier by the government of Hugo Chávez for the purchase, 3 years ago, 24 Sukhoi fighters, 100.00 Kalashnikov AK-47 and the top 50 Russian helicopters. On that occasion, the Venezuelan purchases exceeded 4,000 million dollars.

The ambassador dismissed Zaemskiy any of these purchases represent an arms race by Venezuela. Acquisitions framed within a natural process of renewal of arms and equipment "as do other countries in the world", explaining that Russia has become a major Venezuelan suppliers given that "other" countries are refusing to sell weapons.

In the race or not, the fact is that the Venezuelan government remains constant acquisition of military equipment, and this week President Chavez announced the arrival of 300 vehicle-tanks and armored vehicles, also purchased from Russia. Talking of that announcement, made last Saturday night, the President reiterated his call for the formation of militia ready to defend the homeland.

Military cooperation with Russia also includes technology transfer to Venezuela to produce its own Kalashnikov and cartridges, in a factory would be located in Aragua State, very near the capital and in which 1,500 people would work.

LARES VALENTINA Martiza
TIME CORRESPONDENT
CARACAS

http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/venezuela-culmina-con-rusia-la-compra-de-53-helicopteros-_6711087-1

[Webmaster]

Not sure why you'd take such a biased post from another forum to post here, I don't see much value in it. It must have been over a year ago when I first heard about the rust issue, I'd say it's probably resolved by now. It's all fun and games to say the Sukhoi's are unarmed, it only takes one An-124 flight to arm the whole squadron though. And about the F-16s, they've been due for a life extension package for what, a decade now? I think it's only logical so few remain, and 40-50% availability is still pretty good considering the embargo, most countries not-under-embargo barely manage 60-70% for the F-16. It doesn't matter though, they are on their way out, I'm not even sure they still have enough F-16 pilots who aren't flying the Su-30MK2 to man them all.

Now here comes the problem with posting someones elses stuff here, I would like to ask the author how many Derby missiles have actually been delivered or how many C.10s are in service. You can't compare one side's operational capabilities with the other side's on-paper capabilties. The first new C.10 was delivered with upgrade work still to be completed, another one crashed not too long ago. And I'd love to see some evidence of the Derby being delivered, I'm not sure they were included in the deal... No, the FAC's C.10 fleet is hardly anything to brag about yet...


Some updates:

Bolivia
- Another BAe 146 was delivered, the secondhand BAe 146-200 joins the other four, of which two are still on lease. The two BAe 146-100s are still in storage, with one awaiting tanker conversion pending US approval.
- Confirmed by president Morales on Oct 10, Bolivia is buying six K-8 training/light attack jets to replace the nine remaining T-33A/Ns and to be used for counter-narcotics ops. $57.8 million contract was signed on Sept 30.
- The ez-Czech L-159A deal fell through, initially because of financial terms, but ultimately because the US would veto the deal (US avionics and engine).
- Confirmed by Morales on Oct 1, Brazil's donation of five UH-1H Hueys is delayed pending US approval.

Brazil
- Contrary to earlier reports in the media, the Rafale was NOT selected for the F-X2 fighter competition. Apparently the president said so, while the FAB was not finished with the competition. The three shortlisted options Super Hornet, Rafale and Gripen NG submitted their final proposals by Oct 2, the revised deadline. It had been revised on request by Saab to finalise a revised offer to include building 40% of the aircraft in Brazil.
- A further six UH-60L Black Hawks were ordered from Sikorsky through the US Army for the FAB.
- One of the two Embraer 190s was delivered on Sept 25, to be operated by the FAB for the presendential flight, the second 190 (local designation VC-2) would be delivered by year's end.
- The 50 EC725 helicopters to be produced under license by Helibras, will be assigned as follows: Air Force 16 + 2 Government VIP, Army 16, Navy 16. Deliveries should start in 2010 with the final aircraft in 2016.
- New Learjet 35 based electronic warfare aircraft, R-35AM, will enter service, being converted ex-VIP VU-35A aircraft fitted with the Thales DR2000 system. They will join the R-35A Learjets and R-95 Bandeirante operated in similar role, probably will be replacing the latter.

Ecuador
- As already mentioned here a couple of time, Venezuela donated six Mirage 50s plus unspecified missiles for the FAE. The first batch, consisting of one single-seat 50EV and two twin-seat 50DVs, arrived at BA Taura flown in by Venezuelan pilots on Oct 29. They are said to be in good condition, apart from their radars which need some repair work. The remaining three (two 50EVs and one 50DV) were being overhauled and were expected to arrive within a month (so, should be there now).

Uruguay
- Two former Swedish coastguard CASA 212-200 maritime patrol aircraft are now delivered, arriving on Sept 8.


Finally, about those Su-30s for Ecuador, maybe there have been talks, but it will probably go down like that Mexican Su-27 deal... especially now apparently they've agreed to the Cheetah deal.