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Venezuela1. Summary1.1.1. STRENGTH105,400 plus 17,100 conscripts1.1.2. INFANTRYBrigade × 4Jungle Infantry Brigade × 2Ranger Brigade × 4 (one at cadre level)Special Development Brigade × 1Military Police Brigade x 11.1.3. ARMOURArmoured Brigade × 2Light Armour Brigade x 1Mechanised Cavalry Brigade × 1Mechanised Infantry Brigade x 11.1.4. AIRBORNEParachute Brigade × 11.1.5. ARTILLERYGroup × 81.1.6. SUPPORTCommunications Brigade x 1Logistics Brigade x 1Engineer regiment x 32. AssessmentVenezuela has not fought a foreign war since its independence. Since 1999, the army has been subjected to a modernisation and re-organisation process with changes made to the officer structure as well as the overall army role. The operational structure of the core army remains unchanged, although politics have seen a large number of senior officers to retire (some by force) and be replaced by more politically-oriented, recently promoted officers. In July 2007, the Chávez administration increased salaries by 30 per cent to boost morale.The army’s reform has stretched beyond the procurement of new assault and sniper rifles and now comprises of a modernised doctrine too. New concepts include asymmetric warfare and reliance on the country’s communication and supply infrastructure as well as popular support to resist a large scale US invasion.Most of the army?s equipment dates from the late 1980’s or early 1990s and is still fairly efficient, although there is little standardisation causing maintenance problems. Short term requirements include tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and air defence systems, at least some of which will be supplied by Russia following a September 2009 arms agreement.The recent US embargo has been followed by Sweden’s refusal to supply spares or support of any kind. This will have a direct impact on the MANPADS and infantry anti-tank capabilities. Russian equipment is expected to become standard with an indigenous maintenance and support infrastructure slowly developing to support this.2.1. AdaptabilityThe army is undertaking a large and expensive modernization and re-organization programme that seeks to improve its conventional and non-conventional fighting capabilities. At the same time, it has been undergoing a doctrinal transformation that has the goal of creating a politically conditioned military. 2.2. SustainmentThe Army has a Centre for Refresher training which is part of the 5th Division and has three battalions dedicated to the refresher training role, they are denominated “replacements”. There is a fourth battalion of replacements assigned to the Second Division. There is also a Military olice Replacements battalion assigned to the 3rd Division. There is an Army reserve Command to coordinate sustainability, although it is unclear at this point weather it has been integrated into the National Bolivarian Militia, which took over control of the 48 reserve battalions. 2.3. ReadinessThe 42nd Para Brigade’s rapid reaction and Para-commando units are the main rapid reaction units in the Venezuelan army. Special Forces battalions are also assigned a rapid reaction role. 3. Deployments, tasks and operations3.1. Role and DeploymentThe army is tasked with ensuring land defence, contributing to the development of democratic institutions and respect for the laws of the republic, contributing to the development and national integration and to be prepared to participate in joint and international peacekeeping operations. Furthermore, President Chavez is promulgating an additional role, which is to support the development of the 21st Century Socialist State. Each soldier must now say the words 'Country, Socialism or Death!' before referring to a superior.3.2. Recent and Current OperationsVenezuela has, in the past, contributed to the peacekeeping operations of both the Organisation of American States and the UN. It maintained a small observer group with UNPROFOR, in Croatia; and also in ONUSAL, in El Salvador; UNIKOM, in Iraq/Kuwait and MINURSO, in the Western Sahara. In late 2004, the Venezuelan military also contributed to hurricane emergency relief operations in several countries in the Caribbean.4. Command and controlTable?1.?Minister of the Popular Powers of Defence:Vice-President Ramón CarrizalesCommander, Strategic Operations:General Carlos Mata FigueroaCommandant General, Army:Major General Juan Vicente Paredes TorrealbaChief of Staff, ArmyDivision General Jesus del valle Morao GardonaInspector general, ArmyDivision General Abdón Benito Matheus PabónUnder both the Constitution and the Organic Law of the armed forces, the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. In this position he exercises control on a daily basis through the Minister of Popular Powers for Defence.The Commandant General of the army, whose tenure of office is a maximum of two years, reports to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Minister of Defence. The Inspector General of the Army forms part of the chain of command and ranks second only to the Commandant General. Following in line is the Chief of Staff (Army), to whom the commanders of all units and formations report.A unified command - CUFAN - was created to control all operations, particularly in Military Areas 1 and 2 on the border with Colombia. This evolved during 2007 into the Strategic Operational Command (Comando Estratégico Operacional: CEO) and under the command of General Jesus González González. The CEO formed the planning, co-ordination, direction and implementation command for Venezuela’s joint forces. The country has now been divided into five regions under the CEO, with each regional commander (either a General or Admiral) responsible for all of the forces in its territory.In March 2009, further restructuring granted actual control of the armed forces completely to the CEO and General Carlos Mata Figueroa was appointed the new CEO commander. The Defence Ministry will now be transformed into a purely administrative organisation in charge of overseeing the development of the armed forces and directing the country's defence policy. Previously, through the combined General Staff, the Ministry of Popular Powers for Defence had directly controlled a number of multi-service command, security and logistic support units, which will likely now aggregate to the CEO. These include the Caracas Armed Forces HQ Security Battalion, the General Lino de Clemente Security and Service Battalion, the General Jose Trinidad Moran Production, Supply and Service Battalion and a Mixed Military Police Battalion embodying elements of the four armed forces, all at Caracas. Both the Clemente and Moran battalions are scheduled for transfer to the Army Command, at some unspecified future date.Similarly, the tri-service (army, marines and air force) Air Defence Command was previously directly subordinate to the Ministry of Defence, and will likely now become the responsibility of the CEO. It comprises the air force?s 1st Air Defence Artillery Group (Base Aereo El Libertador, Palo Negro), the navy?s 2nd Air Defence Artillery Group (Base Naval Mariscal Juan C. Falcon, Punto Fijo) and the army?s 3rd General de Division Ascension Barreras Air Defence Artillery Group (Fuerte Guraguao, El Gury).Also directly subordinate to the Defence Ministry were: the multiservice Regimiento Guardia de Honor (which consists of the General Manuel Manrique Security Battalion equipped with V-150 Commando armoured fighting vehicles); the General Tomas Montilla Custodial Battalion; the General Jose de la Cruz Paredes Support Battalion; and a Commando Company. the General Francisco Caraba?o y Ponte Electronic Warfare Unit5. OrganisationVenezuelan Army units are constantly being formed, stood down or re-deployed, changing their numerical designations in accordance with their parent formations - the only constant is the name, which all units of battalion size and above historically bear.There are four “Great Commands” which include: Logistics Command at Fort Tiuna del ValleArmy Aviation Command at La Carlota AirbaseArmy Education Command at Fort Tiuna del Valle6th Corps of Engineers at Fort Tiuna del Valle There are six divisions headquartered as below, together with the 6th Corps of Engineers, which is also headquartered in Caracas. Directly subordinate to Army HQ Command are the General Daniel Florencio O'Leary Army HQ Battalion (Caracas DF); Army Aviation Command; Army Logistic Command; and Army Reserve Command.1st Division (HQ Maracaibo)2nd Division (HQ San Cristóbal)3rd Division (HQ Caracas)4th Division (HQ Maracay)5th Jungle Infantry Division (HQ Ciudad Bolívar)9th Mechanised Cavalry Division (HQ Apure)5.1. Military AreasIn accordance with Venezuela?s new Organic Law, published 31 July 2008, the country is divided into five strategic defence regions:Central: Vargas, Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo and Yaracuy - Commanded by (Army) Major General Juan Vicente Paredes Torrealba;Western: Falcón Lara, Trujillo, Mérida, Táchira and Zulia - Commanded by (National Guard) Major General Luis Motta Dominguez;Los Llanos: Apure, Portuguesa, Barinas, Cojedes and Guárico - Commanded by (Air Force) Major General Jorge Arevalo Oropeza Pernalete;Eastern: Delta Amacuro, Monagas, Sucre and Nueva Esparta - Commanded by (Navy) Admiral Pedro José González Díaz; andGuyana: Bolívar and Amazonas - Commanded by (Army) Major General Félix Antonio Velásquez.5.2. Order of BattleUnits Directly Subordinate to Army HQDirectly subordinate to Army HQ Command are the General Daniel Florencio O'Leary Army HQ Battalion (Caracas DF); the General Andrés Ibarra Intelligence Battalion;; the Army Aviation Command; the Army Logistic Command; and the Army Reserve Command.Table?2.?Army Logistics CommandUnitBaseLogistic Support Regiment 81HQ CaracasCommand and Service Company 8201CaracasMaintenance and Communications Company 8202CaracasMedical Company 8203CaracasSupply Battalion 821CaracasOrdnance Battalion 822CaracasTransport Battalion 824CaracasLogistic Replacement Battalion 823MaracayOrdnance Battalion 825CaracasSupply Battalion 826CaracasConstruction and Maintenance Regiment 83HQ Fuerte Tiuna, CaracasCommand and Service Company 8301CaracasConstruction and Maintenance Battalion 831CaracasConstruction and Maintenance Battalion 832CaracasConstruction and Maintenance Battalion 833CaracasEngineer Support Battalion 834CaracasOther units?Engineer, Signals, Supply and Transport servicesCaracasOrdnance ServiceSan Juan de los MorrosAFV maintenance centreMaracayMedical ServiceFuerte Tiuna, CaracasLogistic Support Command 84Fuerte Terepaima, LaraLogistic Support Command 85MaturínLogistic Support Battalion 841CaracasTable?3.?Army Reserve CommandUnitBaseInfantry Reserve Battalion 1 Batalla de la VictoriaCaracasInfantry Reserve Battalion 2 MaracaiboMaracaiboInfantry Reserve Battalion 3 Los HorconesBarquisimetoInfantry Reserve Battalion 7 MaturínMaturínInfantry Reserve Battalion 8 TachiraSan CristóbalArmoured Reserve Battalion 5 Batalla de VigirimaValenciaArtillery Reserve Battalion 4 Batalla de Boca ChicaMaracayReserve Support Services Battalion 6 Batalla Queseras del MedioCaracasNote:(1) Ultimately, the armed forces intend to raise at least one reserve unit in each of Venezuela's States and Federal Territories.Table?4.?1st Division (HQ Maracaibo, Zulia)UnitBase11th Armoured Brigade HQ Maracaibo, ZuliaCommando Company 1101MaracaiboSniper Company 11MaracaiboArmoured Battalion 111 Juan Guillermo IrribarrenCoroMechanised Infantry Battalion 112 Francisco AramendiMaracaiboArmoured Battalion 113 Leonardo InfanteMaracaiboArmoured Battalion 114 Pedro CamejoMaracaiboArtillery Group 115 Pedro María FreitesMaracaiboAir Defence Group 116MaracaiboLogistic Support Battalion 115Maracaibo12th Caribes Brigade MachiquesMotorised Infantry Battalion 121 VenezuelaMachiques13th Infantry Brigade HQ Barquisimeto, LaraCommando Company 1301BarquisimetoMotorised Infantry Battalion 131BarquisimetoMotorised Infantry Battalion 132San Felipe, YaracuyMotorised Infantry Battalion 133BarquisimetoField Artillery Group 134El TocuyField Artillery Group 135 Combate de Maracaibo14th Mechanised Infantry BrigadeHQ Barquisimento, LaraCommando Company 1401BarquisimentoCavalry SquadronBarquisimentoEngineer CompanyBarquisimentoSniper CompanyBarquisimentoMechanised Infantry Battalion 141 Coronel Miguel María LaraBarquisimentoMechanised Infantry Battalion 143 Coronel Atanasio GirardotBarquisimentoArtillery Group 145 Jose de la Cruz CarrilloBarquisimentoDivision support units?HQ Battalion 101MaracaiboMotorised Cavalry Group 102MaracaiboS/P Missile Artillery Group 103La ConcepciónAAA Defence Group 104Campo MaraCombat Engineer Battalion 105MaracaiboHQ Company 1001MaracaiboSpecial Forces Battalion 107MaracaiboNote:(1) The Venezuela Infantry Battalion is earmarked for the 12th Brigade, which has yet to be formed.Table?5.?2nd Division (HQ San Cristóbal, Tachira)UnitBase21st Infantry BrigadeHQ San Cristóbal, TachiraHQ and Service Company 2101San CristóbalAir Defence Battery 2104San CristóbalMechanised Infantry Battalion 211San CristóbalInfantry Battalion 212 CaraboboValenciaInfantry Battalion 231BarinasSpecial Operations Unit 213Fuerte YaruroArtillery Group 214San CristóbalAnti-Tank Missile Company 2103San CristóbalAir Defence Battery 2103Uribante-Caparo, San CristóbalCombat Engineer Company 2106San CristóbalLogistic Support Battalion 215San Cristóbal22nd Infantry BrigadeHQ Mérida, MéridaHQ and Service Company 2201MéridaMountain Infantry Battalion 221MéridaMotorised Infantry Battalion 222TrujilloMotorised Cavalry Squadron 2204GuasdualitoArtillery Group 224Moruto, TáchiraHeavy Mortar Battery 2204MéridaAnti-Tank Missile Company 2204MéridaMilitary Police Company 2206MéridaDivision support units?HQ Battalion 2001MéridaField Artillery Group 203MéridaReplacement Battalion 206MéridaSpecial Electronic Warfare Unit 207Mérida25th Caribes Brigade(1)HQ La Fría, Táchira HQ and Service Company 2501La FríaCaribes Battalion 251La FríaCaribes Battalion 252La FríaCaribes Battalion 253La FríaNote:(1) In the process of being formed.Table?6.?3rd Division (HQ Caracas)UnitBase31st Infantry Brigade HQ CaracasHQ and Service Company 3101CaracasInfantry Battalion 311 BolivarCaracasArtillery Group 314 AyacuchoCaracasSignals Company 3103CaracasOrdnance Company 3104Caracas32nd Caribes BrigadeHQ MaturínHQ and Service Company 3201MaturínCaribes Battalion 321MaturínCaribes Battalion 322MaturínCaribes Battalion 3203MaturínMaintenance and Transport Company 3204MaturínAnti-aircraft missile Group 499Maturin34th Communications BrigadeHQ CaracasHQ and Service Company 3401CaracasTactical Signals Battalion 341CaracasTactical Signals Battalion 342CaracasTactical Signals Battalion 343Caracas35th Military Police Brigade HQ CaracasHQ and Service Company 3501CaracasMilitary Police Battalion 351CaracasMilitary Police Battalion 352CaracasMilitary Police Battalion 353CaracasMilitary Police Replacement Battalion 354CaracasDivision support unitsHQ Battalion 301CaracasMotorised Cavalry Group 302ValenciaS/P Air Defence Artillery Group 304CaracasCombat Engineer Battalion 205CaracasTable?7.?4th Division (HQ Maracay)UnitBase41st Armoured BrigadeHQ ValenciaCommando Company 4101ValenciaMechanised Infantry Battalion 411CaroraArmoured Battalion 412MaracayArmoured Battalion 413Fuerte Paramacay, ValenciaArmoured Battalion 414 Bravos de ApureFuerte Mara, ZuliaS/P Artillery Group 415ValenciaAir Defence Battery 4103ValenciaCombat Engineer Company 4104ValenciaSignals Company 4105ValenciaHeavy Mortar Company 4106 Veinticuatro de JunioValenciaLogistic Support Battalion 416Valencia42nd Parachute Infantry BrigadeHQ MaracayHQ and Service Company 4201MaracayParatroop Battalion 421MaracayParatroop Battalion 422MaracayPara-Commando Unit 423MaracaySignals Company 4203MaracayLogistic Support Battalion 424MaracayRapid Deployment Unit 4205Maracay44th Light Armoured BrigadeHQ San Juan de los MorrosHQ Battalion 4401San Juan de los MorrosLight Armoured Battalion 441San Juan de los MorrosLight Armoured Battalion 442San Juan de los MorrosOther units?HQ Battalion 401MaracayGuard of Honour Battalion 4002 Veinticuatro de JunioMaracayField Artillery Group 403MaracaySignals Company 4004MaracayTable?8.?5th Division (HQ Ciudad Bolívar)UnitBase51st Jungle Infantry BrigadeHQ GuasipatiHQ Company 5101LuepaJungle Infantry Battalion 511CaicaráJungle Infantry Battalion 512Fuerte TarabayJungle Infantry Battalion 513LuepaMotorised Cavalry Squadron 5102LuepaHeavy Mortar Battery 5104Fuerte Cayaurima52nd Jungle Infantry Brigade (HQ Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas)HQ Puerto Ayacucho, AmazonasHQ Company 5201Puerto AyacuchoJungle Infantry Battalion 521Ciudad BolívarJungle Infantry Battalion 522Puerto AyacuchoJungle Infantry Battalion 523Ciudad BolívarHeavy Mortar Battery 5204Puerto AyacuchoCombat Engineer Battalion 524Puerto AyacuchoReplacement Training Centre 53HQ Ciudad BolívarReplacement Battalion 531Ciudad BolívarReplacement Battalion 532Ciudad BolívarReplacement Battalion 533Ciudad BolívarMaintenance and Service Battalion 534Ciudad BolívarDivision support units?HQ Battalion 5001Ciudad BolívarSpecial Operations Battalion 507 “Coronel Domingo Montes”Fuerte Guraguao, El GuryCombat Engineer Battalion 505Fuerte TarabaySignals Company 5002Ciudad BolívarMilitary Police Company 5003Ciudad BolívarMaintenance and Support Battalion 5006El GuryTable 9. 6th Engineer CorpsUnitBase61st Construction and maintenance Engineer Regiment “Agustin Codazzi”Fuerte Tiuna, Caracas62nd Construction and maintenance Engineer Regiment “General de Brigada Luciano Urdaneta”San Cristobal, Tachirá621st Rail Road Engineers BattalionBarquisimento, Lara622nd Construction and maintenance Engineer Battalion “Coronel Pedro Aldao”San Fernando de Apure63rd Construction and maintenance Engineer Regiment “General de Brigada Juan José Aguerrevere y Echenique”Maturin, MonagasTable?9.?9th Mechanised and Horse Cavalry Divison (HQ, Apure)UnitBaseMotorised and Horse Cavalry Brigade 91San Fernando de ApureHQ Squadron 9101San Fernando de ApureMortar Battery 9104San Fernando de ApureMotorised Cavalry Battalion 911San Fernando de ApureMotorised Cavalry Battalion 912San Fernando de ApureCaribes Brigade 92GuadaualitoHQ Company 5201GuadaualitoCaribes Battalion 921GuadaualitoCaribes Battalion 922GuadaualitoCaribes Battalion 923GuadaualitoHeavy Mortar Battery 5204GuadaualitoCombat Engineer Battalion 524GuadaualitoSecurity and Special Development Brigade 93 “General en Jefe Ezequiel Zamora” BarinasHQ and Service Company 9301BarinasMountain Infantry Battalion 931BarinasCaribes Battalion 932 “Coronel Vicente Campo Elías”BarinasCaribes Battalion 933BarinasCivil Affairs Battalion 934Barinas5.3. Army Aviation Order of BattleTable?10.?UnitBaseTypeBatallón de Helicópteros Multi-propósitos“General de Brigada Florencio Jiménez” Tavacaré, BarinasMi-17V-5?Tavacaré, BarinasMi-26T2?Tavacaré, BarinasMi-35M2?Batallón de Helicópteros “General de Brigada Florencio Jiménez” San Felipe, YaracuiAS-61D?San Felipe, YaracuiB412EPBatallón de Aviones “General de Brigada Tomás Montilla” Valle de la Pascua, GuáricoArava?Valle de la Pascua, GuáricoM28 Skytruck?Valle de la Pascua, GuáricoSuper King Air 200?Valle de la Pascua, GuáricoKing Air C90?Valle de la Pascua, GuáricoCe-206Batallón Especial de Reconocimiento “General de Brigada Francisco Conde” La Carlota, Caracasn/aCentro de Mantenimiento de la Aviación del Ejército “General de Brigada Francisco de Paula Alcántara” Charallave, Mirandan/aCentro de Abastecimieto de la Aviación del Ejército "General en Jefe Juan Antonio Sotillo"La Carlota, Caracasn/aEscuela de Aviación del Ejército “General de Brigada Juan Gómez” San Felipe, YaracuyCe-172LB206B?San Felipe, YaracuyCe-182T?San Felipe, YaracuyB206B5.4. Operational Art and Tactical DoctrineA new doctrine based on the concept of asymmetric warfare – a defensive response to a supposedly impending (but highly unlikely) invasion by the US military - is now in place. The original foreign influence on the Venezuelan Army during its formative years came from Germany. This was later consolidated by a Chilean military mission that functioned in the early 20th century. Following the First World War, French, and later Belgian, influence became important and officers were also sent to study in Peru, from which further French influence was absorbed. During the Second World War, all other external influences were superseded by that of the US. Cuban influence is present in development of the current “socialist” doctrine has seen Venezuela looking towards adopting certain Cuban influences. Influences from Iran, China, Russia and Belarus are also present and these are likely to expand in the near future.5.5. BasesTable?11.?BaseLocationFort TiunaCaracasFort TrepaimaLaraMaracayMaracay, AraguaPuerto AyacuchoAmazonasMaturínMaturín, MonagasSan CristóbalSan Cristobal, Tachirá5.6. GarrisonsA military presence is maintained in most major population centres and at frontier crossing posts.6. Personnel6.1. DemographicsThe force is composed of 8% of officers, 5% of NCO’s and 87% of troops. In 2009 the Venezuelan government announced that 17,100 conscripts would form the 2009-2010 national military service. Conscription is voluntary. 6.2. RecruitmentThe National Bolivarian army has stepped up recruitment in recent years with its fore expanding from an estimated 63-65,000 in 2000 to over 100,000 by 2010. This has been made possible by more attractive salary and living conditions, as well as by a generational change in the officer corps, as force retirement of large numbers of them have opened the door to fast career advancement by politically oriented principals. 6.3. MoraleExtensive financing has translated into pay increases throughout the ranks, but morale is considerably low. Crack units are being formed with politically-oriented appointments and leadership positions are being filled in the same way, which has had a negative impact on morale. 6.4. ProfessionalismDespite extensive financing, professionalism in the Venezuelan army has descended considerably due to the retirement of a large number of officers, the elimination of a large cadre of NCO’s, calling them “Technical Officers” and assigning them “People’s” roles. New officer training has been cut from 5 to 4 years. Preference of political loyalty over professional talent has produced the biggest impact. 7. TrainingSince 1988, all officer cadets of the army, navy, air force and National Guard have attended a two-year course at the Armed Forces Basic Training School at Maracay. The Military Academy, at El Valle, offers an additional four-year course for army officer cadets who may pursue a degree course at one of the civilian universities or at the Universidad Politecnica de las Fuerzas Armadas, after commissioning in the rank of second lieutenant. The Escuela Superior de Guerra Libertador Simon Bolívar is at Chorrillos and aspirants to promotion beyond the rank of lieutenant colonel must successfully complete either its command and staff course or a course at a recognised foreign military establishment of equivalent category. Most officers also pursue post-graduate studies abroad, usually in the US. The General Jose Felix Ribas NCO School and the General Rafael Urdaneta Infantry School, the General Rojas Special Forces School, the General Irribarren Armoured Forces School, the Colonel Diego Jalon Artillery School, the General Jacot Engineering School and the Transport School are all located at Maracay, which is the principal military centre in the country. The Signals School, the Negro Primero Equitation School and the General Flores Physical Education School are all located at Caracas. Conscripts receive their non-specialist training in the units to which they are assigned on induction.7.1. Training AreasMost training is carried out in the Caracas and Maracay areas.7.2. Military ExercisesIn 2005, the Venezuelan military carried out two main exercises in relation to the government’s preparation for ?asymmetric war?:The first – called Operacion Armada Soberana 01-2005 (Operation ?Sovereign Navy?) – was carried out between June 2-5 2005 and took place near the towns of Caimancito and Guayacan in the state of Sucre, on Venezuela’s eastern coast near the island of Margarita. The aim was to test the capability of reservists that had already been trained. Some 4,500 personnel took part in the exercise as well as 16 vessels and 14 aircraft, and it was commanded by Rear-Admiral Douglas Clemente. During the main amphibious landing, the armament used was: 10 coast guard vessels; six gun-boats; one logistics vessel; three frigates; three ducks; two riverine amphibious craft; eight helicopters, and four F-16 fighter jet aircraft. A battalion of army infantry and two battalions of marine infantry were included, as well as an unspecified number of National Guard combatants.A second exercise was carried out about one week later, near military Fort Los Caribes, in the state of Cojedes, west of Caracas. It was called Operacion Huracan 01-2005 (Operation ?Hurricane?), but far less detail is available. One report stated that 1,273 army infantry were involved, as well as an unspecified number of reservists, 75 paratroopers, 6 helicopters, and an unspecified number of tanks. The personnel were divided into two armies, labelled ?red? and ?blue?, and the aim was for one army to fend off an invasion by the other army.8. Army procurement8.1. Armour8.1.1. Main Battle Tanks (MBTs)The Venezuelan Ministry of Defence confirmed in October 2008 that it was looking to acquire a new main battle tank to replace its ageing AMX-30V and the AMX-13C-90 and Scorpion light tank fleets, looking to acquire T-72M/T-90 tanks from Russia as well as reconnaissance light tanks .During the September 2009 visit of President Hugo Chavez to Moscow, Russian defence officials confirmed that a contract worth USD500 million for the delivery of 92 T-72M and T-90 MBTs plus up to 200 other armoured vehicles was signed. Deliveries are slatted to commence by early 2010. 8.1.2. Armoured Personnel CarriersIn May 2004, the Defence Ministry issued a tender for the acquisition of approximately 200 new armoured personnel carriers and tactical vehicles in a contract estimated to be worth about USD80 million. Four European companies had pre-qualified by June 2004; Steyr-Daimler-Puch (Austria); Sabiex International (Belgium); Mowag (Switzerland), and Alvis-Vickers (UK). This requirement was then expanded to 600 armoured vehicles in 2007, with the BMP-3 becoming the most likely option, although this may only form part of the 600-vehicle requirement. In October 2008 a Rosoboronexport spokesman indicated that Venezuela would sign a contract for a large number of BMP-3 vehicles from Russia within the next month. Delivery of up to 200 BMP-3 and BTR APC’s were said to be imminent during a November 2009 speech by President Chavez. 8.1.3. All-Terrain Multi-Use VehiclesThe Venezuelan Army has developed its own model of all-terrain multi-use vehicle, the CENARECA UR-53AR50 Tiuna, locally referred to as the Tiuna. It is 4.92 m long and 2 m wide, weighs 3.2 tonnes and has the capacity to carry nine fully-armed soldiers. It has a 5.3 litre, V-8 engine, with automatic transmission. There are six different versions of the Tiuna in service: The basic armed reconnaissance model has a mounted M-2 12.7 mm machine gun, two side-mounted MAG 7.62 mm machine guns and can be fitted with two AT-4 84 mm rocket-launchers; an ambulance version; one with a M-40A1 106 mm recoilless rifle; a utility transport; an anti-riot; and, an air defence versions with either a mounted RBS-70 launcher or twin Mistral missile launcher.In mid 2005 the army signed a contract with CENARECA for 310 Tiunas in several versions. The first batch of 97 vehicles was delivered by early 2006, the next 100 by mid 2006 and 113 by early 2007.8.2. Air DefenceIt was announced in November 2008 that LOMO in St. Petersburg, through Rosoboroneksport, had sold the Igla-S system to Venezuela. No figures were provided, although deliveries reportedly commenced in April 2009 and are scheduled through to 2011.The Igla-S weapons will likely replace the RBS 70, which was previously the army’s main short range air defence missile but will be increasingly difficult to maintain after Sweden, prompted by the US-imposed arms embargo, announced it would not provide Venezuela with any equipment, spares or replacements for any type of weapons.There are plans for up to three self-propelled medium-range air defence batteries, with the Tor-M1 as the selected platform. A contract with Russia was finalised in mid-2007 while Belarus has been contracted to provide technical assistance. However, these will be operated by the Air Defence Command and the army is apparently in negotiations to acquire its own batch of Tor-M1’s.8.3. InfantryA contract was signed in October 2004 to buy 100,000 semi-automatic assault rifles from the Russian Federation. The USD54 million contract involves the delivery of AK-103 rifles, an updated version of the AK-47. The Russian rifles will eventually replace the Belgian-made FAL 7.62 rifle, which is standard issue in the Venezuelan military. The first 30,000 AK-103s were delivered to Venezuela in June 2006. It is not clear whether the Russian rifle will also be used to equip the army’s reserves (or territorial guard) which could number in excess of 100,000. The plan to acquire Russian Kalashnikovs would appear to partially supersede that of Army Plan 2000, which entailed the re-equipment of the infantry with the FN FNC assault rifle.At the time of the delivery of the first batch of AK-103s, the Chávez government said that it will receive a licence from Russia to build the first Kalashnikov factory in Latin America. US defence officials have expressed concern that some of the Kalashnikovs, and decommissioned FALs, may fall into the hands of Colombian insurgent groups and other militant groups. The Kalashnikov plant is scheduled to begin production in late 2009.The army also took delivery of a batch of 5,000 Dragunov SVD sniper rifles during 20088.4. Army AviationUnder Project Pemon the army acquired a fleet of 33 new combat and transport helicopters during 2005 in three phases. Phase 1 was valued at USD120 million and included six Mi-17V-5 Panaera, a single Mi-26T2 Pemon heavy lift and three Mi-35M2 Caribe gunships. Phase two comprised five Mi-35M2 attack helicopters and was valued at USD81 million. The final phase comprised up to 14 Mi-17V-5, two Mi-26T2 and two Mi-35M2 is a USD200 million deal. All deliveries were completed by late 2007.In December 2009, the Russian ambassador to Venezuela announced that it was at an advanced stage of negotiations to supply a further 53 helciopters to the Venezuelan armed forces. The details of the specific number or type of helicopters involved has not been revelade, but is thought to include a further 33 transport Mi-17 and Mi-26 and up to 20 combat helicopters with a mix of Mi-35M and Mi-28N. 8.5. ModernisationA large number of off the shelf acquisitions in recent years has left little room for modernisation efforts.The AMX-13/C-90 fleet was modernised before delivery with new 90-mm guns and engines. Up to six of the earlier AMX-13 fleet were modified with an M42 40-mm turret and known as AMX-13 Ráfaga. The AMX-30V fleet also received new night vision systems.Four UH-1H Iroquois were subjected to the Huey 2 upgrade programme but by the time the US embargo was announced these were still in the US.The four machines have been impounded and are being offered for sale. The funds allocated by Venezuela were used to procure three Bell 206B, a Beech 200 and a number of Cessna lights on the US civil commercial market. Something similar seems to happen with the Agusta A-109 fleet and these machines appear to have been subjected to the embargo also. There is no available information on this.9. Equipment in service9.1. ArmourTable?12.?TypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst DeliveryAMX-30VNexterMain Battle Tank81601972T-72MMain battle Tank922010AMX-13NexterLight Tank36361988AMX-30DNexterRecovery Vehicle431972Scorpion 90BAE SystemsLight Tank80781989Dragoon 300 LFV2General DynamicsMulti-Purpose Armoured Fighting Vehicle40401987AMX VCINexterArmoured Personnel Carrier25251972AMX VTT TBNexterArmoured Personnel Carrier - Armoured Ambulance881972AMX VTT PCNexterArmoured Personnel Carrier - Command Post12121972AMX VTT PMNexterArmoured Personnel Carrier - Mortar Carrier20201972Transport-Panzern/aArmoured Personnel Carrier10101984Dragoon 300General DynamicsArmoured Personnel Carrier25251987Dragoon 300PMGeneral DynamicsMortar Carrier21211987Dragoon 300RVGeneral DynamicsRecovery Vehicle221987V-100 CommandoTexton Marine and Land SystemsArmoured Personnel Carrier30301971V-150 CommandoTexton Marine and Land SystemsArmoured Personnel Carrier10010019719.2. ArtilleryTable?13.?TypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst Delivery155 mm Mk F3NexterSelf-Propelled Howitzer2020(1)1972105 mm Model 56Oto Melara SpAPack Howitzer40401973105 mm M101A1Rock Island ArsenalTowed Howitzer40401963155 mm M-114 A1n/aTowed Howitzer18121963160 mm LAR SP 160Israel Military IndustriesSelf-Propelled Multiple Rocket Launcher2520198460 mm M-66 CazadorCAVIMMortarn/an/an/a60 mm M19Watervliet ArsenalMortarn/an/an/a60 mm C-06/C-06A1Soltam Systems LtdLong-Range Mortarn/an/an/a81 mm M29Watervliet ArsenalMortarn/an/an/a81 mm MO-81Thompson-BrandtMortarn/an/an/a120 mmThompson-BrandtMortar6560n/aNote:(1) Some sources note that 10 are in service.9.3. Anti-Tank WeaponsTable?14.?TypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst DeliveryMAPATS-2Israeli Military IndustriesAnti-Tank Guided Weapon24241990106 mm M40A1n/aRecoilless Rifle175175n/a84 mm AT-4n/aAnti-Armour Weaponn/an/an/a84 mm Carl Gustav M3n/aAnti-Armour Weapon9090n/aRPG-7VAnti-Armour Weapon20069.4. Air Defence WeaponsTable?15.?TypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst Delivery9K388 Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch)Konstruktorskoe Bjuro MashinostroeniaMan-Portable Surface-to-Air Missile2002002009RBS 70Saab Bofors DynamicsSurface-to-Air Missile System881990Roland(1)MBDASurface-to-Air Missile System661985Barak 1(1)IAISurface-to-Air Missile Systemn/an/a200540 mm L/60(1)Bofors Defence ABAnti-Aircraft Gun (Tin)6030n/a40 mm Breda-Bofors L/70(1)Bofors Defence ABAnti-Aircraft Gun (Twin)1812n/a20 mm AML S530(1)n/aSelf-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (Twin)15151973Note:(1) Operated by the air force.9.5. Infantry WeaponsTable?16.?TypeRole7.62 mm FN FALRifle5.56 mm M16A2Assault Rifle7.62 mm AK-103Assault Rifle14.56 mm FN FNCAssault Rifle7.62 mm SVD DragunovSniper Rifle9 mm IMI UziSub-Machine Gun9 mm H&K MP5Sub-Machine Gun9 mm FN P90Sub-Machine Gun9 mm Beretta Model 12Sub-Machine Gun5.56 mm MinimiGeneral-Purpose Machine Gun7.62 mm FN MAGGeneral-Purpose Machine Gun7.62 mm M60General-Purpose Machine Gun0.5 in Browning M2HBHeavy Machine Gun9.6. Army AviationTable?17.?TypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst DeliveryMi-35M ‘Hind?MilHelicopter - Attack10102005412EPBellHelicopter - Assault1081999UH-1H IroquoisBellHelicopter - Assault62(1)1977Mi-17V-5 ‘Hip-H?MilHelicopter - Assault20182005AravaIAITransport531980M-28 SkytruckPZLTransport12101999King Air E90BeechUtility111977King Air 200BeechUtility111979Super King Air 200BeechUtility332006TU206G Turbo StationairCessnaUtility221982T207A Turbo StationairCessnaUtility221982412Agusta-BellHelicopter - Utility221988AS-61DAgusta-SikorskyHelicopter - Utility441984172L SkyhawkCessnaTraining111980182 SkylaneCessnaTraining331982182TCessnaTraining112006172 MescaleroCessnaTraining332006206B3 JetRangerBellHelicopter - Training332007206B JetRangerBellHelicopter - Training211977206L LongRangerBellHelicopter - Training111981Note:(1) Believed to have been upgraded to Huey II standard, but impounded in the US and offered for sale to third party. ................
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