Posted on 02/09/2006 2:43:25 PM PST by Stellar Dendrite
Venezuela has become an important customer of Russian weapons, a senior government official said when announcing a record sale of armament in 2005, AP reported.
Mikhail Dmitriyev, the head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, advised that Russia could sell MiG strike aircraft to Venezuela.
Queried about Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez' remarks on the possibility of buying MiG's, Dmitriyev answered that no concrete deal has been made. However, "if Venezuela desires to procure MiG's, we are ready to cooperate," he noted.
According to the official, Russia is also determined to open a maintenance site for any weapons to be sold to Venezuela.
Venezuela bought recently 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles. The United States strongly rejected the move when President Chávez suggested the possibility of arming one million people.
For his part, Army Commander Raúl Isaías Baduel declared Thursday in La Victoria, a major city of central Aragua state, that by the first quarter of 2006 three Russian-made, MI-17 choppers will arrive in Venezuela. The aircraft is to be used in military defense, keep internal law and order and engage the army in domestic development, official news agency ABN reported.
F-22 Raptor targets.
Ditto!!!
Ping
The Venezualans will not go up against the US, but will us weapons to bully and build a greater empire in S. America. This should not be allowed to go forward. There is no reason for any country in S. America to feel threatened, any weapon is for offense only.
Chavez is trying to procure 1 million Kalashnikovs. And with a factory making Kalashnikovs, they will reach 1 million by the end of 2007. This does not include new Kalashnikovs for Cuba or Bolivia, either.
If venezuela gets Nicaragua on board (Ortega), they can take Mexico. With the help of Russia and China, they could try something stupid. (Anyone see Red Dawn?)
When he does.
I think Chavez has his eye on his neighboring countries. He knows he has the oil to finance his ambitions. I don't think we'll stand by and let him do it. That's how we'll eventually be up against them.
"They've got MiGs! Load the bunker-busters."
"If you can't train your pilots, if you can't give them proper flying time and combat skills the most expensive aircraft in the world is nothing more than a radar lock target. Venezuala can purchase all the MiG's they want. It doesn't mean they have a real air force."
Against the US OK. What about against South Americans?
True, but it is one more step towards real problems.
By then we will have President Clinton. Did you hear GW's comments about her today? Sounded like a near endorsement. I don't know what the deal is with politicians, they act like enemies, then pal around behind the scenes. Actually I have an idea, but it pigeonholes me as a KOOK by Limbaugh.
Fox One!
Fox Two!
AFAIK, that was the dialog when the US shot down those two Libyan planes...
The Russians need to make money somehow, and we can shoot them all down in 10 minutes with a couple of F-22s!
When the bullet hits the bone.
Time to re-apply and extend the Monroe Doctrine.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.