Americans reveal Russian MiGs in Venezuela

LENTY.RU ^ | September 17th, 2004

[struwwelpeter]

15:21 2004-09-17

American military intelligence confirms that the Venezuelan ministry of defense has several new MiG-29 fighters. The MiG-29s for now located on one of the bases in the region of Lake Maracaibo. The fighters periodically perform training flights in the region of Curacao island in the Caribbean sea, where they were detected by the American military. Information about Venezuela's MiG-29s was also confirmed by representatives of the Columbian ministry of defence.

The purchase of Russian fighters, according to the American military, is part of a long-term plan by the Venezuelan ministry of defense to upgrade their air forces. Venezuela plans to buy about 50 Russian MiG-29 fighters in various modifications, with 40 single-seat and 10 dual-seat models. Venezuela plans to spend about 5 billion dollars for the Russian fighters, including missiles and special aviation and airfield equipment.

Until recently the only MiG-29s in Latin America were used by Peru and Cuba. Cuba only has six MiG-29s.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Does anyone know how old of a model the MIG-29 is?

First went operational in early 80's, with upgraded export models developed in the mid-latter 90's.

[Flint]

"Theres not a single country in Latin America that needs MIG-29s. This just starts a minor-league problem between Venezuela and all of its neighbors. There was a period in the 1960s where almost of the dictators in Latin America was using its military to threaten neighbors...thus keeping their instablity out of the press. It appears that we are going full-circle now.

That is the best thing that can happen for us. If ever all the states in SA get together under one leadership we will have a big problem. That is the only group of countries that has a land route into the good old USA and Mexico would not slow them down for more than 10 min.

[PAR35]

"the Fulcrum entered series production in 1982 "
http://www.saunalahti.fi/~fta/MiG-29.htm

The basic design is a contemporary of competing American designs.

Similar aircraft:
# F/A-18 Hornet
# F-16 Fighting Falcon
# F-15 Eagle
# Su-27 Flanker
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/airdef/mig-29.htm

[Tommyjo]

They have been operating US supplied F-16s since 1983. The same package deal for F-16 conversion will be provided by the Russians for the MiG-29s.

[sargon]

Latter 90's export refurb, eh?

They looked relatively modern.

Prolly not much of a match for America's latest, though...

[GOP_1900AD]

Interesting. So, with some of the stand off weapons these can carry (including tac nuke ones) this starts to become disturbing. Personally I think it is time to return to gunboat diplomacy and the Monroe Doctrine.

[ScreamingFist]

The same package deal for F-16 conversion will be provided by the Russians for the MiG-29s.

Could you clarify hat please? Some time ago, Venezeuela requested a batch of F-16C/Ds, but the US government blocked the request.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Well if upgraded with Israeli & French electronics(as India has done) & hooked up with AWACS vectoring & competent pilots,Russian planes like the Mig-29 & Su-27/30 can stand up confidently to systems like the F-15 or F-16,though not the F/A-22(which is ,well another class).

[AmericanVictory]

The vulnerable flank. Reagan did a terrific job in Latin America. Both Bushes have made a mess there and have caved in to the Jimmy Carter interests and relied upon Carter people. That and their so-called energy policy are real blind spots, but the Dems cannot capitalize upon these vulnerabilities because they have been even worse.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Latter 90's export refurb, eh? They looked relatively modern. Prolly not much of a match for America's latest, though...

The ejection system apprears to work well enough, and fuselage makes an nifty post hole digger!

[Truth666]

NATO media has declared Putin as the main target (example : after Beslan, they are openly accusing Putin of being a murder of the children.)
So for Russia anything other than declaring NATO the target of a pre-emptive strike would be suicide.

[cake_crumb]

Money we GAVE them for oil? You speak of PURCHASING a product, the right to purchase which was won via pre-Bush trade agreements?? Cut me a break

[cake_crumb]

Chavez was funded with UN blood for oil money via a mutual friend to both Chavez and Castro, Saddam Hussein. This isn't new news. Maybe the media finally deigned to notice it NOW, but it might carry more journalistic weight if it had been news two years ago. Mass media loses again.

[bear11]

Don't worry.
Jimmy Carter will make sure that his buddy Chavez only uses these for peaceful purposes.

[CDHart]

My daughter is an RN and has been talking about spending two weeks in Venezuela with a mission that inoculates kids and does other medical work. Her husband could go with her, but I think they both need to stay home. Can anyone give me any ammunition for my stand?

Carolyn

[MonroeDNA]

Another Cuba forming on mainland.

Rockets will follow, then nukes.

[Casloy]

And exactly what purpose do they serve?