Posted on 08/26/2007 3:20:53 PM PDT by hardback
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday said he plans to buy 5,000 Dragunov sniper rifles from Russia to protect the oil-rich nation from a possible U.S. invasion.
The self-styled socialist revolutionary and open critic of Washington has bolstered the OPEC nation's weaponry by buying planes, helicopters and assault rifles from Russia to prepare for a guerrilla-style resistance to a foreign invader.
"I'm going to buy 5,000 Dragunov rifles from Russia ... with telescopic sight, the best in the world, with infrared night-view," Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast held on a beach along Venezuela's eastern coast.
"We will knock out any imperialist that approaches."
The United States has cut arms sales to Venezuela and blocked several attempts by Chavez to acquire military aircraft technology on the grounds that Venezuela has not adequately explained why it needs the equipment.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Hemispheric Affairs Stephen Johnson said during a recent visit to Colombia that countries in the region should be concerned about Venezuela's multi-billion dollar weapons purchases.
Venezuela last year purchased 24 Sukhoi fighters jets and 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles from Russia, and is currently negotiating the purchase of submarines.
5,000 sniper rifles.
Hugo, are you really sure you want those around?
Hey Hugo, are Dragunov’s effective against cruise missiles?
They ain’t anywhere near the best in the world, but I’d love to have a Dragunov of my very own. To a collector, they’re an object of desire. To a shooter, the average Remchester with a cheap scope is more accurate.
5,000 rifles. BFD. Of little or no effective use against any U.S. invasion force if one were ever contemplated. Very useful and effective, though, against any of his political opponents there in Venezuela.
Bet the countries on his border’s are thrilled with his decision. Here comes another looney dictator headed for big trouble.
5,000?
I bet there are more rifles in the Fort Worth, TX subdivision where I live.
I’m sure those Russian helicopters are real scary too.
Okay, we need to put a stop to this crap.
LMAO Sniper Ping
Me want. Russian made, not Chinese. Unfortunately, slick willie screwed that pooch (along with a lot of other pooches).
Careful, Bell is just a few miles from here.
He’s committing suicide.
I meant the ones Hugo is buying from Russia, the ones that did so well in Afghanistan. Aww...to be a kid in a candy-store.
Question is, are they going to be getting the 7N14 to go with it? I would guess not...and in any case, it’s not exactly a true sniper rifle in the modern sense.
He does seem to be attempting to cut his own throat. Too bad he’s such a dull knife.
Can you shoot down a B-2 bomber flying at 70,000 feet with one?
No, I didnt think so.
Me too King of Kings.
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