Posted on 04/04/2006 8:51:10 AM PDT by Sax
Chavez gets Russian helicopters
Chavez is looking to boost Venezuela's armed forces Venezuela has taken delivery of three Russian-built military helicopters - the first of a total of 15 it has so far ordered from Moscow. President Hugo Chavez said they would help to protect Venezuela if the US ever mounted an invasion.
Mr Chavez also repeated that he was ready to buy Russian fighter jets.
Washington has dismissed claims of a possible invasion as ridiculous and says Mr Chavez's military purchases pose a threat to regional stability.
A crowd of Russian and Venezuelan generals and diplomats was treated to an air show, displaying the strengths of the Russian-built helicopters.
A group of around 20 parachutists jumped in formation out of the olive green MI-17 helicopters during Monday's ceremony.
President Chavez said Venezuela's latest purchases could be used to transport parachute troops quickly into combat.
This would be ideal for a war of resistance, Mr Chavez said, a reference to his often repeated concerns that the US may want to invade Venezuela to seize its oil reserves.
Army Commander Gen Raul Baduel said Venezuela planned to buy a total of 33 helicopters from Russia.
Balance of power
Venezuela has also agreed to buy a total of 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles from Russia. Russian Kalashnikovs will replace Venezuela's ageing assault rifles
Mr Chavez also repeated his accusation that the US had blocked a deal to buy training aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer, Embraer, because the Brazilian planes contained protected American technology.
"Nothing and nobody will stop us from making our country's armed forces stronger," he said, while stressing that Venezuela was not preparing to invade anybody.
The BBC's Greg Morsbach in Caracas says Mr Chavez's words may do little to dispel fears in Washington that Venezuela is stepping up its arms expenditure and is upsetting the balance of power in Latin America.
Chavez the junk runner.
"Venezuela has also agreed to buy a total of 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles from Russia."
No outrage from the liberal gun control freaks?
Helicopters vs Stealth Jets? Frooty Tooty!
Russia is a big beleiver in free trade you know
No outrage from the liberal gun control freaks?
Of course not, those will be used against US military and US drug enforcement agents.
Personally I don't have a big problem with Russia selling this stuff to our enemies. For the most part it's all outdated or the Russians wouldn't sell it. Besides, it wastes the dictators money and our guys need the target practice.
Exactly. Hugo Chavez is running the standard Latin American "Tyrant" playbook in publication since 1959.
What is it with the third worlders? Are they all druggies?
Perhaps the USA should donate some guitars and some better grade of pot and they could write some music.
Talk about Lucies in the sky with diamonds!
"Next, I want twenty sharks with laser beams coming from their heads."
Yup, the Afghans showed how well some Stingers will do against those puppies.
Yeah they'll never see action against our guys. They'll be used against his own folks or his neighbors. If we wanted them gone, they'd be destroyed on the ground.
-- Bruce Cockburn (a Lefty who supported the Sandinistas, but a good songwriter)
I see Putin's global energy security plans developing.
Does anybody remember even a single case - ever - when Russia chose a decent client?
Here's a link to what these old-a@@ birds look like.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/mi-17.htm
You remember a few months back when Chavez offered some F16s to Cuba and Castro said no thanks.
Funny, that's the exact page where I ripped the photo (above.)
He also wrote the theme song for the children's cartoon Frankin. A lovable turtle who gets into trouble with his animal friends.
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