Venezuela Poised To Take Over As Top Latin American Arms Buyer

Posted on: Nov. 16th, 2005 || Source: spacewar.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Venezuela Poised To Take Over As Top Latin American Arms Buyer

Over the past year Venezuela has adopted a force structure revitalization program that could be worth as much as $30.7 billion through 2012. If fulfilled, this would make the country the leading arms buyer in the region through the rest of the decade.

The revitalization program is being stoked by strong prices for the country's oil exports, which means that Venezuela can finally address pent-up needs to overhaul an aging force structure. However, according to Forecast International Latin America analyst Tom Baranauskas, "The viability of the revitalization program is very much dependent on oil prices remaining strong, with ambitious government plans to increase social spending also likely to be vying for the windfall oil income."

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The Air Force has a requirement for as many as 50 fighters, with Russian Su-27s or Chinese J-10s reportedly being considered, and for nearly as many Super Tucano turboprop attack/trainer aircraft. The Army needs at least 30 transport and gunship helicopters, and is in talks to buy light armored vehicles, artillery, and various electronics systems. An air defense upgrade program worth at least $150 million has been launched with the purchase of Chinese JYL-1 3-D radars.

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