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Chavez gets Russian helicopters
BBC News ^ | 4/4/06 | BBC News

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.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bolivia; cccp; chavez; chicoms; china; coldwar2; communism; communists; cuba; helicopters; hugoping; kgb; nicaragua; politboro; reddawn; russia; soviets; sovietunion; ussr; venezuela
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To: Sax

I must have posted befor the picture loaded on my machine.

Anyway, that web site is a great place for all knds of military hardware specs.


21 posted on 04/04/2006 9:09:20 AM PDT by roaddog727 (P=3/8 A. or, P=plenty...............)
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To: cripplecreek

No I missed that. Operation costs too high? Or just didn't see the need? Cuba's not going to be attacking anyone and we're not letting anyone invade land 90 miles off our coast (& one where we're based.)


22 posted on 04/04/2006 9:09:21 AM PDT by Sax
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To: roaddog727

Yep, I've used it over the years a ton of times!


23 posted on 04/04/2006 9:14:45 AM PDT by Sax
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To: Sax

I don't recall that Castro made any comment other than no thanks but it was clearly a pointless gesture. Chavez may have ended up selling them to China but even that is a worthless gesture.


24 posted on 04/04/2006 9:15:14 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Never a minigun handy when you need one.)
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To: Sax

President Hugo Chavez said they would help to protect Venezuela if the US ever mounted an invasion.



For about 5 seconds.


25 posted on 04/04/2006 9:15:15 AM PDT by trubluolyguy (If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!)
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To: GSlob

Last one I remember is us, when we bought Alaska - thanks Ruskies!


26 posted on 04/04/2006 9:17:07 AM PDT by Sax
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To: Sax

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.



Well given that lefties everywhere (this nut included think we invaded Iraq for it's oil) and seeing what our gasoline prices are like, I don't think my pocketbook could stand another "war for oil." Might as well sell the car.

If I have to add a sarcasm tag, you aren't really paying attention.


27 posted on 04/04/2006 9:18:28 AM PDT by trubluolyguy (If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!)
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To: GSlob

Decent clients have enough money and sense not to buy Russian junk.


28 posted on 04/04/2006 9:18:33 AM PDT by oldleft
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To: proud_yank

PING


29 posted on 04/04/2006 9:20:15 AM PDT by Thunder90
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To: lizol; Lukasz; strategofr; GSlob; spanalot; Thunder90; Tailgunner Joe; propertius; REactor; ...

PING


30 posted on 04/04/2006 9:20:35 AM PDT by Thunder90
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To: Sax

I also forgot to say that Venezuela has a contract to build millions of AK rifles, RPG launchers, and other Russian/chinese weapons


31 posted on 04/04/2006 9:23:56 AM PDT by Thunder90
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To: Sax

We would be smart to take out Chavez early. His infection is spreading through South America.


32 posted on 04/04/2006 9:24:02 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (North American distributor for Mohammed Urinals. Franchises available.)
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To: Sax
Chavez can put anything he wants in the sky. It doesn't matter, they will be dead before they know this beauty is even there.

Nothing can touch this bird in the sky.

33 posted on 04/04/2006 9:26:57 AM PDT by Romish_Papist (St. Jude, pray for my lost cause. St. Rita, pray for my impossible situation.)
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To: TexasRepublic


Is there any opposition group to Chavez in VZ that hasnt been jailed or killed by his thugs?


34 posted on 04/04/2006 9:29:13 AM PDT by in hoc signo vinces ("Houston, TX...a waiting quagmire for jihadis. American gals are worth fighting for!")
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To: Sax

So the Iranians aren't the only suckers that the Russians have pawned old Soviet era hardware off on for cold cash...


35 posted on 04/04/2006 9:30:11 AM PDT by Bean Counter ("Stout Hearts!")
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To: Romish_Papist

36 posted on 04/04/2006 9:32:47 AM PDT by ChadGore (VISUALIZE 62,041,268 Bush fans. We Vote.)
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To: in hoc signo vinces

Our only hope now would be "black operations", but it won't happen.


37 posted on 04/04/2006 9:32:47 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (North American distributor for Mohammed Urinals. Franchises available.)
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To: ClearCase_guy
Bruce Cockburn (a Lefty who supported the Sandinistas, but a good songwriter)

I have never understood why anyone likes that song. It is lame and plods along in a mope. And who the hell calls it a rocket launcher?

It's a freakin missile. A SAM, an RPG but a launcher?

I never heard much else from Cockburn but I have heard this song get refrenced a few times since 1983 when i first heard it - and I just dont get it. C-

38 posted on 04/04/2006 9:34:06 AM PDT by corkoman
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To: Thunder90; Hill of Tara; Victoria Delsoul; Army Air Corps; monkeywrench; cll; penowa; pcottraux; ...


PING – Hugo is at it again!

Please FReepmail me if you would like on/off my Hugo/Venezuela Ping list.

39 posted on 04/04/2006 9:34:09 AM PDT by proud_yank (A liberal's 'generosity' is limited to the funds available in someone else's account.)
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To: Sax
"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.

Shades of the Third Reich bump.
40 posted on 04/04/2006 9:34:10 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Someday we'll look back on all this and plow into a parked car)
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