Time to make a bowl of popcorn
Like this is going to turn out well... From
Breitbart/Associated Press:
Chavez: Venezuela acquires thousands of missiles
President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Venezuela has received thousands of Russian-made missiles and rocket launchers as part of his government's military preparations for a possible armed conflict with neighboring Colombia.
"They are preparing a war against us," Chavez said during a televised address, repeating a charge he has been making for months. "Preparing is one of the best ways to neutralize it."
Both Colombia and Washington deny having any plans to attack Venezuela, but Chavez argues they are plotting together a military offensive against Venezuela. Chavez says his government is acquiring more weapons as a precaution.
"Thousands of missiles are arriving," Chavez said. The former paratrooper-turned-president did not specify what type of missiles, but said Venezuela's growing arsenal includes Russian-made Igla-1S surface-to-air missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
Chavez, who has been feuding with Colombia for months, claims an agreement between Bogota and Washington allowing the U.S. military to increase its presence at seven Colombian military bases poses a threat to his country. Colombia says the deal is only to help it fight the war on drugs and insurgents inside its territory.
Chavez also said Monday that Russian tanks, including T-72s, will be arriving "to strengthen our armored divisions."
Venezuela has bought more than $4 billion worth of Russian arms since 2005, including 24 Sukhoi fighter jets, dozens of attack helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles. In September, Russia opened a $2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase more weapons.
Gotta love it -- Chavez accepted a $2.2 billion line of credit and is burning his way through it like a drunken sailor.
The question he needs to be thinking about is how well trained are his people, what is the quality of the Russian equipment and did he think to get spares for the fancy stuff. Kalashnikov's are a global commodity and parts (when they break which isn't often) are available cheaply. The T-72 was first introduced in 1971 -- almost forty years ago. The Sukhoi fighter jets are sweet -- Chavez did well there. The Igla-1S is an anti-aircraft missile -- decent but not that new.
Chavez is putting his country further in hock to the Russians over some paranoid fever dream and the stuff that he is buying is not that well thought out.
Readers, feel free to comment and correct me but this is going to be interesting.
Like I said, time for popcorn...
Posted by DaveH at December 7, 2009 8:49 PM