Posted on 06/12/2006 1:15:21 PM PDT by 45Auto
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’ government has struck a deal with Russia to build Latin America’s first factory making Kalashnikov rifles.
Venezuela has already taken delivery of 30,000 new Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles from Russia, part of a contract for 100,000 of the weapons favored by guerrillas worldwide, the Financial Times reports.
The license to build the weapons factory in Venezuela comes after the U.S. announced a ban on arm sales to Caracas, saying Chavez’s government was failing to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts.
Chavez has insisted that the U.S. has plans to invade Venezuela and is seeking to modernize his armed forces.
"We will be ready to do anything to defend our sovereignty,” he recently asserted.
The country is also reportedly buying patrol vessels from Spain and Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia. The U.S. is concerned that Venezuelan arms could fall into the hands of rebels fighting the government in Colombia, an American ally, according to the Times.
Army Brigadier General Frederick Rudesheim said of Venezuela’s arms buys: "When you have that sort of wholesale purchase by a government that is so out of balance with the needs of that government, it can be nothing other than destabilizing.”
What size ("english" or metric units) is the projectile?
Should they support Chavez because he's progressive, or should they oppose him because he is manufacturing eeevil assault weapons.
What's a good liberal to do?
Chris Dodd's buddy.
They liked Stalin when he was building nukes and gassing Jews.
In short, they're not anti-gun. They're anti defend america.
Don't bring a Kalashnikov to a Cruise Missile fight.
Don't bring it to any sort of a fight against people with real rifles either. The AK is basically a crowd control device.
AK-103 is 7.62 x 39. .30 cal
It's a new Cold War. Chavez will no doubt now start arming groups looking to bring revolution throughout Latin America. This is going to have to be vigorously fought. If Cuba starts getting money from drilling for oil with the help of the Chinese, that could be another potential sponsor of trouble in North and South America.
Very useful against UAVs and smart bombs.
What a dumbass. He's fighting Vietnam again.
Actual defense would be:
1. Multiple and redundant and portable source radar and other sensors to out-spook UAV and stealth tech (think cell towers);
2. Fibre optic communications;
3. Decentralized C&C in places like the sub-basements of the subbasents of orphanages and RC Churches;
4. mobile SAMS tied to above.
5. Explosive pre-positioned on things we might want (like oil) equipment.
6. Prestaged stuff for IEDs, et al for guerilla war (here the AKs would have a little use, but not as much as hit and run IEDs)
7. Pre-recorded "I am a noble defender of the people" viedo interviews to feed to the MSM
Yes, and they are 'selectively' anti-gun: They don't like American Patriots to be armed. They had no problem when Janet Reno torched/slaughtered the Davidians, or when the "authorities" shot Randy Weaver's wife, or when little Elion Gonzalez was forcibly taken.
Hugo, you'll put your eye out with one of those things!
Never having fired (or faced) an AK 47,I was always under the impression that it was a respectable weapon
Thats funny. The ak rifle despite the people or government who invented it in communist time is in fact a very Simple and Proven rifle. It is the most Popular Rifle world wide and most proven. I would say The Best light Assault rifle next to the AKM and The M16 varrients.
The Projectile is still the 7.62 but can fire an NATO round 5.56.
Its about time Venezuela got rid of The MAS FAL and Old ass UZI . I think Venezuela Should Invade Colombia and Guyana and unify South america Once and for all Under the Old Great Columbia .But who Knows Chavez is all talk When it comes to International affairs, Not So Internally.
I doubt we will ever invade venezuela, but if we do the battle will be bloody. I know for a fact those people are building a minute man system to fight in urban warfare and the numbers of trained Men and Women are well over 1 mil ready. that is crazy. they Call it La Defensa Popular, Or The Peoples Defense. and if they are Making the AK's supply will be the first thing we should target.
Here is my plan , I heard Venezuelans Love Levi's jeans we can start a Gun for jeans program . LMAO
When was Stalin gassing Jews?
What do you think?
They are, under 100 meters. But then, so is a long-barrel submachine gun.
Yes, there are such things as accurate AKs. These aren't it. When you have an AK that's "loose" enough to be reliable under all circumstances, you have an AK that can't hit the side of a barn at 300 meters.
What an AK is is a good, cheap bullet hose. You make up for the lack of accuracy with volume of fire; in urban combat or jungle combat, where the range is usually under 75 meters, it rules. In places like rural Afghanistan, where your engagement range is usually over 300 meters, the AK is worthless - as the Soviets found out, and as the Taliban rediscovered.
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