Russia-Venezuela military-technical cooperation

Russia to build in Venezuela, simulators for helicopter
05.08.2009

The Russian company "Kronstadt" has been built in 2010 in Latin America's largest helicopter training center, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday a member of the board of directors of the company Victor Godunov.

At the end of 2006 between Russia and Venezuela signed a contract providing for the establishment of training center for training crews of helicopters produced in Russia. The lead performer named company Kronshtadt, which is a subsidiary of Tranzas, specializing in the production of military products.

Center of Venezuela will be the largest in Latin America, and will consist of five integrated simulators, including the most modern - category D, for training the crews of helicopters MI-17 MI-26 and Mi-35. We plan to complete its construction in February 2010 ", - said the agency interlocutor.

For contracts entered into in 2005 - 2006 years, Russia has in Venezuela ten new combat helicopters Mi-35M, 20 multipurpose helicopters Mi-17-1B, and three transport helicopters Mi-26T. In 2007, were agreed to new contracts for the supply of 20 Mi-17 helicopters and five Mi-35M.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited TRANSAS in May this year. It showed only one in Russia first-class training for professional pilots. It simulates a flight to the most popular in Russia helicopter Mi-8. Head of Training Department of Evgeny Abakumov together with Medvedev sat down for the steering wheel of MI-8 and in the most adverse conditions "put a helicopter in the airport of Adler's.

http://www.rian.ru/

Venezuela-Russia military cooperation to continue -SechinRIA Novosti

15/08/200917:58
ST. PETERSBURG, August 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said on Saturday that he is convinced military cooperation between Russia and Venezuela will continue to develop, although any decision lies with the country's leaders.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez recently announced plans to buy dozens of Russian tanks in response to the U.S. deployment of military bases in neighboring Colombia, aimed at curbing the country's flourishing drugs trade and the activity of FARC guerillas.

Responding to questions from journalists, during a meeting of the Russia-Venezuela Intergovernmental Commission in St. Petersburg, on possible purchases of Russian tanks by Venezuela, Sechin said, "military-technical cooperation is a sphere where the decisions are made by presidents."

The commission, co-chaired by Sechin and Venezuelan Vice President Ramon Carrizalez, was organized ahead of a proposed visit to Russia by Chavez.

Carrizalez said that the U.S. plans to deploy seven bases in Columbia "Is a threat to all Latin American countries."

The vice premier said U.S. claims the military bases were aimed at tackling drug production in Columbia were untrue, as the real goal was, "To put an end to movements which are growing in strength in Latin America and that want to achieve political independence."

Carrizalez said that a number of agreements had been signed during the commission session, including on jointly tackling drug trafficking, and added that Venezuela was located between the main drug producing countries - Columbia and the main "user," which the U.S. is considered to be.

"It is a serious problem for us, a tragedy even, because our territory is used for the transit of drugs," he said.

The Venezuelan Army currently has more than 80 outdated French-made AMX-30 main battle tanks and several dozen AMX-13C light tanks.

Chavez, who has spent billions of dollars on weapons from Russia in recent years, confirmed that Caracas and Moscow were discussing purchases of Russian T-90 main battle tanks among other military equipment.

Between 2005 and 2007 Russia signed 12 contracts worth more than $4.4 billion to supply arms to Venezuela, including fighter jets, helicopters and Kalashnikov assault rifles.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/08/mil-090815-rianovosti03.htm

As oil prices Russia can expect new orders from Venezuela.
I think BMP-3M/T-90A/Su-35 is guaranteed but S-300 is option also all throw it would rise more dust in media than previous three buys.
More to it Venezuela is in shopping spree in Spain.

yes as long Chavez stays in office.. We get contracts

any picuters of the factory in venezuela? it should be ready and already stared production a long time ago

AFAIK the weapon and ammo factories in Venezuela are operational.

I have read a report in an article that said that there were negotiations with Cuba to upgrade one of their ammo factories because they had visited the facilities in Venezuela and were impressed.

Apparently the new ammo factories are designed to produce and dispose of small arms ammo, so running one way it makes new ammo, and run it in reverse and it recovers components for reuse or disposal.

With Il-96 arrived stong Russian delegation. I expect new contracts will be signed.

He arrived in Venezuela the secretary of the Security Council of Russia

Best picture of the recent visit  

Russian defense minister to pay first visit to Venezuela

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu sets off on a three-day Latin American tour during which he will visit Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba, a Defense Ministry spokesman has said.

Shoigu is due to visit Caracas on Wednesday, where he will hold talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Vladimir Padrino Lopez and meet with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

"During the meetings, the sides will discuss topical issues of military and military-technical cooperation of the two countries, and also exchange views on the key issues of global and regional security," Konashenkov said.

A military and diplomatic source told TASS "no agreements or contracts on the supplies of Russian weapons and equipment to Venezuela are planned to be signed." After visiting Caracas, Shoigu will fly to Nicaragua, the source said.
Russia-Venezuela military & defense cooperation

Last February, Shoigu said Russia planned to expand its military presence in a number of foreign countries, including in Venezuela. The minister said this was essential for the Russian Navy to be able to call at their ports to service its ships.

Shoigu also said Russia’s long-range aircraft could use their air bases for refuelling.

Russia and Venezuela began expanding their military-technical cooperation after Hugo Chavez took power in Venezuela in 1999. Venezuela earlier purchased weapons and military equipment from the United States, Europe and Israel.

Russia has now become the main supplier of weapons for Venezuela. The cooperation in this sphere is based on an intergovernmental agreement signed in May 2011 in Moscow.

According to Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport, in spring 2013 Russia’s contracts with Venezuela were estimated at $11 billion. Venezuela has ordered 24 Su-30MK2 multi-role fighter aircraft and some 40 helicopters, including Mi-35M attack helicopters, and also 12 Tor-M1 missile systems.

Russia has also supplied to Venezuela 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles and helps the country to build a plant on a licensed assembly of the weapons. However, the completion of the construction has been delayed several times.

Venezuela is currently hit by the economic crisis due to the plunging prices for oil since it represents over 96% of the country’s exports.

Venezuelan, Russian Troops Stage Large-Scale Military Exercises

The Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said that the nation's military is conducting massive air defense and artillery drills involving visiting Russian troops and hardware.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) — The Venezuelan military is conducting massive air defense and artillery drills involving visiting Russian troops and hardware, the nation's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Saturday.

The 10-day war games have been ordered by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who spoke of pressure coming from the United States earlier this month.

The Venezuelan government has been concerned about US President Barack Obama's new executive order, published Monday, which described the South American country as "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security and foreign policy.

Around 10,000 Venezuelan troops are taking part in the massive military exercises, which also involve Chinese crews, according to Venezuela's Noticias24 website.

The drills come in the wake of a February visit by Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who discussed military and technical cooperation with his Venezuelan counterpart in Caracas.

Venezuelan forces have shown increased interest in Russian military aid. Russian-made military equipment has substantially strengthened the capacity of Venezuela's armed forces, according to Lopez.

Russia is actively pursuing defence cooperation with South American countries, which includes the sales of weaponry, the construction of naval maintenance and resupply facilities, as well as the occasional use of local airbases for hosting Russian strategic bombers on global patrol missions.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20150314/1019503447.html#ixzz3USzyOQOV

Russia speaks of fraud after persistent delays in the opening of the Kalashnikov rifle factory in Venezuela

(Defensa.com) The establishment in Venezuela of a factory of Kalashnikov assault rifles and ammunition accumulated delays announced in 2006 that make uncertain the opening date. In Russia even research committee studying delays of this plant, which was scheduled to be launched between 2009 and 2010, has been accused of fraud Sergey Popelniujov former senator, whose company was awarded the construction of the plant. The committee considers that the situation affects the reputation of Russia in the arms market in Latin America.

The Russian daily Kommersant estimated at $ 18 million the amount of what the employer would have stolen the program, which would have an impact on the backlog. In fact the plant has not yet begun to operate at full capacity and who can doubt this year. In 2006 an agreement between Venezuela and Russia announced to build a factory assault rifles AK-103 and AK-104 plus ammunition for these calibres 7.62x39 mm. This would have to start its activity from the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first of 2010, though the deadlines were extended and in 2012 it was announced that the plant was only 60%. The latest news is December last year when Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, warned of strange incidents in the construction of the plant and announced that the contractor would change and initiate investigations to clarify the cause of the delay. The plant should provide work for 800 people and would be able to produce 25,000 assault rifles per year, supplying arms to Venezuela and being able to export to other Latin American markets. The plant is being built in facilities Compania Anonima Venezolana de Industrias Militares (CAVIM) in the city of Maracay, state of Aragua. (JNG)

http://www.defensa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15885:rusia-habla-de-fraude-tras-los-persistentes-retrasos-en-la-apertura-de-la-fabrica-de-fusiles-kalashnikov-en-venezuela-&catid=55:latinoamerica&Itemid=163

Venezuelan Military Delegation Trains in Siberia - Russian Defense Ministry

Construction of Kalashnikov Plants to Complete in Venezuela by 2017

The construction of two plants for Russian arms manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern will be completed in Venezuela in 2016-2017, the Russian ambassador to the country said.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – In 2005, Russia and Venezuela signed a deal for the construction of a Kalashnikov assembly factory and a munitions plant. Construction of the factories been repeatedly delayed.

"Certainly, the project has been rehabilitated, a new Russian contractor has been chosen, its representatives have already been here, they met the Venezuelans, the works will restart in the beginning of next year," Vladimir Zayemsky told RIA Novosti.

According to the official, one of the plants should be completed by the end of next year, while the construction of the other is scheduled to finish in late 2017. It was not specified as to whether the weapon or the ammunition factory would be completed first.

"In reality, everything is 70 percent complete, one factory will produce assault rifles, the other – ammunition for them," Zayemsky added.

The Kalashnikov Concern was created in 2013 in a merger of two Soviet-era plants, Izmash and Izhmekh, and became Russia’s largest producer of rifles and other small arms weaponry. The company exports its guns and other arms to 27 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Italy, Canada, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/business/20151201/1031030388/venezuela-kalashnikov-plants.html#ixzz3t3P1sJxG

Venezuela received the first four refurbished Mi-35M

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1816884.html

Russia will start producing Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela in 2019

More:
http://tass.com/defense/917261

Nice, but is this wise since Venezuela is going to fall to right wing pro-usa oligarchy in next election 2017 or 2018?

"Rosoboronexport" transferred Venezuela's mobile service complex for the repair of military equipment

As reported in Rosoboronexport press-release (part of Rostekh State Corporation), on October 27, 2017, the special exporter handed over to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela a mobile service complex designed to carry out maintenance, current and secondary repairs of the armament and military equipment of the ground forces.

"With the transfer of the mobile service complex to the Venezuelan side, Rosoboronexport is opening a new segment of the world arms market, the first such set we put abroad, Russia can now offer complexes equipped with modern automated hardware and software systems that allow real-time receive information on the state of technology, plan its maintenance and repair in the field, maintain an electronic passport of military equipment, automatically form orders for spare parts, "- said Sergei Goreslavsky, Deputy General Director of Rosoboronexport.

In addition, the mobile service complex allows maintaining a high level of technical readiness of the equipment for combat use.

The time for the full deployment of the main part of the complex on a prepared ground or concretered site is only 25 days, after which the complex will be able to work effectively. All elements of the mobile service complex are adapted to transportation (transportation) without limit of range by rail, water (sea, river) and road transport without reducing the availability for work after transportation.

Software and hardware solutions used in Russian mobile service complexes make them unique in a highly competitive market for servicing weapons and military equipment. These solutions make it possible to automate the calculation of needs and to search for rational distribution of forces and equipment, scheduling of the time and type of maintenance and repair, as well as requirements for materials and spare parts, depending on the consumption of the service life and operating time.

According to experts, mobile service complexes can become a real basis for an integrated service infrastructure for weapons and equipment of all types of armed forces.

"The results of the operation of the complex by the Venezuelan side confirmed the efficiency and reliability of the proposed maintenance and repair system.Today, comprehensive servicing of nine types of armament and military equipment of the ground forces is possible, and the customer showed interest in expanding the capabilities of the complex with the purpose of servicing equipment for other combat arms" , - said Sergey Goreslavsky.





https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2919928.html

Kalashnikov plant in Venezuela to start production in 2019

Venezuelan specialists are expected to launch the full-fledged licensed production of the AK-103 assault rifle and the plant is planned to manufacture about 25,000 assault rifles annually

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. A plant to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela will go into operation by the end of 2019, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez told reporters after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday.

"The plant will begin its work by the end of next year, the year 2019," he said. "We constantly monitor the construction works. It should be noted that this plant is of strategic importance for Venezuela’s independence and its armed forces."

Venezuela’s Vice-President for Economics and Finance, Castro Soteldo, earlier told the media the plant was expected to achieve capacity operation in 2018.

The plant that will assemble Kalashnikov assault rifles is being built under the contract signed in July 2006. Venezuelan specialists are expected to launch the full-fledged licensed production of the AK-103 assault rifle and the plant is planned to manufacture about 25,000 assault rifles annually. Besides, the ammunition production plant will manufacture more than 50 million rounds per year. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said in December 2016 that the plants would start working to full capacity in 2019.


More:
http://tass.com/defense/997625

Russia Sets Up Weapons Maintenance Database in Venezuela

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has set up a database in Venezuela that allows the government to track in real time how its military hardware is maintained, the head of Service Solutions Center at Proekt-Technika Corporation told Sputnik.

“With the help of Graphite we made maintenance a fully automatic process. We issued technical passports for every piece of hardware. We traveled all across the country to create this database from scratch, so that after two months the [Venezuelan] defense minister had access to everything there was to know about the state of all hardware and its faults,” Artyom Kalashyan said.

He said the software was available for desktop and mobile users and allowed to keep track of hardware lifecycle. The mobile app, he added, makes it easier for government officials to monitor and control maintenance work.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador in Caracas Vladimir Zaemsky told Sputnik that the United States might go beyond just threats and carry out a full-scale military intervention in Venezuela.

The statement came amid reports by the Associated Press, which said that a representative of the US administration, whose name has not been disclosed, reported that in August 2017 Trump asked his aides about the possibility of a military intervention in the country.

Moscow has repeatedly stressed that it considered any military options with regard to Venezuela unacceptable and warned that they would only further escalate situation in the country.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201810071068669997-russia-venezuela-database-military/

Plant for production of Kalashnikov assault rifles to be built in Venezuela by yearend

More:
http://tass.com/defense/1045270

Russian helicopter pilot training center opens in Venezuela

The center will give Venezuelan pilots an opportunity to train the use of Mi17V-5, Mi-35M and Mi-26T helicopters

MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. A helicopter pilot training center, created with the help of Russian specialists, was unveiled in Venezuela on Friday, the press service of Rosoboronexport, the arms trader of Russian state corporation Rostec, has said.

"A modern helicopter training center was built under Rosoboronexport’s contract with Venezuelan state-owned defense manufacturer (CAVIM). Its opening ceremony took place on March 29," the organization said in a statement.

The center will give Venezuelan pilots an opportunity to train the use of Mi17V-5, Mi-35M and Mi-26T helicopters.

"At present, Russian helicopters supplied to Venezuela not only take part in operations against smugglers, but also successfully perform aerial survey of wildfires, take part in rescue and evacuation missions in areas hit by natural disasters and deliver humanitarian cargo to remote regions of the country," Rosoboronexport said.

A source in Venezuela’s Army Aviation said the center would simplify the training process and make it more efficient, allowing to train more helicopter crews.

Russian-made Mi-35M helicopters are actively used in operations targeting illicit drug production and trafficking in Venezuela, the source said.

"At present, Mi-35M2 helicopters play an active role in fighting drug trafficking in the states of Barinas, Apure and Amazonas. As a rule, those aircraft are used for detecting and destroying drug-trafficking convoys travelling by land and rivers," he said.

According to the source, Mi-35M are also particularly efficient in operations to destroy drug production facilities located in hard-to-reach areas.

"One Mi-35M2 helicopter is capable of delivering a special group of five or six officers, providing fire support if necessary and evacuating the team after the task is fulfilled," he said.

According to the Venezuelan Defense Ministry, the Army Aviation unit uses the "tropical" version of Russia’s Mi-35M aircraft, known as Mi-35M2 Caribe. The army aviation’s multipurpose helicopter battalion operates 31 Russian-made helicopters, including 18 Mi17V-5 transport helicopters, 10 Mi-35M2 attack helicopters and three Mi-26T2 heavy-lift transport helicopters.


More:
http://tass.com/defense/1051294

Russia, Venezuela sign agreement on visits by military ships

https://tass.com/defense/1073651

Russian aircraft and air defense systems made the Venezuelan air force the strongest in Latin America
January 26, 2021

The Venezuelan Air Force can be called the strongest in Latin America thanks to the use of Russian Su-30MK2 multipurpose fighters and S-300VM anti-aircraft missile systems. Venezuela has a fleet of combat aircraft of this model. The country is armed with 23 Su-30MK2 4+ generation fighters, equipped with R-77 air-to-air missiles with active radar homing heads, R-27ER extended-range missiles, and Kh-31 cruise missiles.

Aircraft equipped with a modern radar system, in terms of maneuverability, flight range and load, are among the best fighters that the Air Forces of Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Brazil have.

In the arsenal of the Venezuelan Air Force there is a Russian Buk-M2 medium-range air defense system and an S-300VM air defense system with a range of up to 250 kilometers. Peru is another Latin American country that possesses fourth generation Soviet and Russian aircraft. This country has a squadron of 19 MiG-29s equipped with modern avionics and armed with R-27 and R-77 air-to-air missiles.

https://yandex.ru/turbo/informing.ru/s/2021/01/26/568521110123.html?publisher_logo_url=https%3A%2F%2Favatars.mds.yandex.net%2Fget-turbo%2F3804511%2F2a00000175c3221aa32a33a3a8eac31d5a8d%2Forig&promo=navbar&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fzen.yandex.com



This is quite impressive however, how is the flight training and number of hours? It is one thing to have advanced weapons but if they have low flight hours let's say 30 hours a year, than Venezuela pilots are not competent.  Do they have close to 150 hours a year in flight time? The same with Peru.  I assume all the Latin nations air forces you mentioned: Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Brazil are not really well trained and receive low flight hours.  

I see a error in grammar. What do you mean "among the best fighters that the Air Forces of Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Brazil have?" Brazil doesn't import Russian fighters so you need to be clear about the meaning of that sentence.

https://www.quora.com/In-what-air-force-do-fighter-pilots-get-the-most-flight-time

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/03/14/air-force-sets-goal-20-flight-hours-month-pilots.html

https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/maintenance-operating-costs-per-flight-hour-of-militarys-fighter-jets/11995/

https://hangar.flights/story/5773/5-ways-that-a-flight-simulator-can-make-you-a-better-pilot/

andalusia wrote:Russian aircraft and air defense systems made the Venezuelan air force the strongest in Latin America
January 26, 2021

The Venezuelan Air Force can be called the strongest in Latin America thanks to the use of Russian Su-30MK2 multipurpose fighters and S-300VM anti-aircraft missile systems. Venezuela has a fleet of combat aircraft of this model. The country is armed with 23 Su-30MK2 4+ generation fighters, equipped with R-77 air-to-air missiles with active radar homing heads, R-27ER extended-range missiles, and Kh-31 cruise missiles.

Aircraft equipped with a modern radar system, in terms of maneuverability, flight range and load, are among the best fighters that the Air Forces of Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Brazil have.

In the arsenal of the Venezuelan Air Force there is a Russian Buk-M2 medium-range air defense system and an S-300VM air defense system with a range of up to 250 kilometers. Peru is another Latin American country that possesses fourth generation Soviet and Russian aircraft. This country has a squadron of 19 MiG-29s equipped with modern avionics and armed with R-27 and R-77 air-to-air missiles.

https://yandex.ru/turbo/informing.ru/s/2021/01/26/568521110123.html?publisher_logo_url=https%3A%2F%2Favatars.mds.yandex.net%2Fget-turbo%2F3804511%2F2a00000175c3221aa32a33a3a8eac31d5a8d%2Forig&promo=navbar&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fzen.yandex.com



This is quite impressive however, how is the flight training and number of hours? It is one thing to have advanced weapons but if they have low flight hours let's say 30 hours a year, than Venezuela pilots are not competent.  Do they have close to 150 hours a year in flight time? The same with Peru.  I assume all the Latin nations air forces you mentioned: Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Brazil are not really well trained and receive low flight hours.  

I see a error in grammar. What do you mean "among the best fighters that the Air Forces of Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Brazil have?" Brazil doesn't import Russian fighters so you need to be clear about the meaning of that sentence.

https://www.quora.com/In-what-air-force-do-fighter-pilots-get-the-most-flight-time

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/03/14/air-force-sets-goal-20-flight-hours-month-pilots.html

https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/maintenance-operating-costs-per-flight-hour-of-militarys-fighter-jets/11995/

https://hangar.flights/story/5773/5-ways-that-a-flight-simulator-can-make-you-a-better-pilot/

You mean like their navy? Where 50% of their most advanced war ships got sunk by a cruise ship last year?