[R-G] Venezuela Distributes Russian Arms, Intends More Purchases

[Anthony Fenton]

Venezuela Distributes Russian Arms, Intends More Purchases
Friday, Jun 16, 2006 		
By: Venezuelanalysis.com


Caracas, Venezuela, June 16, 2006—In a ceremony to mark the arrival  
and disbursement of a first shipment of 30,000 Russian-made AK-103  
assault rifles on Wednesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said  
that these new weapons were merely for the defense of Venezuela.  
Chavez also confirmed that an agreement had been reached for  
Venezuela to purchase 24 Russian Sukhoi-30 fighter jets.

Venezuela first announced the purchase of 100,000 Russian Kalashnikov  
rifles over a year ago. The remaining 70,000 will be delivered later  
this year. Venezuela’s purchase agreement also includes license for  
Venezuela to manufacture its own AK-103 rifles, for which it will  
build a factory.

The rifles are meant to replace the current armament of aging Belgian  
FAL rifles, which Venezuela had bought over 40 years ago. Chavez  
handed over the new weapons to officers of the Presidential Honor  
Guard and gave the old ones to the newly formed military reserve.

During the ceremony, Chavez said, “the world knows we do not have a  
plan to attack anyone.” “Those who threaten Venezuela with being a  
threat are the real threat,” added Chavez, referring to the United  
States, which has repeatedly argued that Venezuela is engaged in an  
arms race.

The planned purchase of the Sukhoi-30 fighter jets had originally  
been announced last month, but Chavez confirmed it during the  
ceremony and specified his government would buy 24 and is considering  
buying more Russian helicopters. Venezuela has already agreed to buy  
44 transport helicopters for the army last year. The additional batch  
would be attack helicopters for the air force.

“These are assault helicopters, which are ideal for war of  
resistance,” said Chavez, adding that the purchase would also  
include, “a state-of-the-art helicopter maintenance center.”

Two of the Sukhoi-30 fighters will arrive in a few weeks, with the  
rest to be delivered by the end of the year. According to Chavez,  
these are the most modern fighter jets in the world and are far more  
capable than the aging F-16s Venezuela received from the U.S. 20  
years ago. Venezuelan officials say they need to replace the F-16s  
because the U.S. has refused to honor its contract to maintain the  
jets and has blocked Venezuela’s efforts to let third parties, such  
as Israel, to maintain the jets.
In an event on Thursday Chavez insisted again that Venezuela is not  
involved in an arms race as Bush administration officials have  
repeatedly claimed. He went on to say that of the $1.1 trillion  
dollars spent on arms in the world, the U.S. spends 48% of that  
figure, while the next largest country spends merely 5% of that  
figure. In comparison, Venezuela spends a tiny fraction of that.