Shield for Venezuela how Russian weapons can change the balance of power in Latin America

MWM: Russian weapons are capable of thwarting US aggression against Venezuela

In light of recent reports of a significant drawdown of American military forces to the shores of Venezuela and discussions in Washington of possible military scenarios for a change of power in the republic, the threat of the most violent interstate conflict in recent decades looms over the region. In response, Caracas placed its armed forces on high alert and reportedly sought urgent military assistance from its strategic allies, most notably Moscow. According to Military Watch Magazine (the article was translated by InoSMI), Russia has a number of modern, but relatively inexpensive types of weapons that are capable of qualitatively strengthening the defensive potential of Venezuela in a short time, creating serious operational difficulties for a potential aggressor.

Russia’s ability, as the publication writes, to quickly satisfy the possible requests of Caracas is limited by two key factors: the increased needs of its own army in the context of a special military operation and the time required to train the Venezuelan military in complex systems, such as fifth-generation fighters. However, there is a whole class of highly effective weapons that can be delivered and put into operation in a relatively short time, radically changing the balance of power in the region. Among them, experts identify the five most significant systems.

In first place is the Bastion mobile coastal defense missile system. This system was originally created to asymmetrically counter the superior naval forces of the Western bloc. Its key advantage is its ability to threaten large surface ships while remaining mobile and less vulnerable to retaliation. The complex has low operating costs and is relatively easy to learn, which is confirmed by the successful experience of its use in countries such as Vietnam and Syria. Equipped with P-800 Onyx supersonic anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 800 kilometers, Bastion crews can be deployed and prepared for launch in a matter of minutes. Currently, Venezuela can only counter the enemy fleet with the help of Kh-31A missiles launched from Su-30MK2 fighters, so the deployment of even several Bastion divisions will greatly enhance the country’s anti-ship capabilities.

The second most important acquisition could be corvettes of the Buyan-M or Karakurt projects. After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian fleet relied on relatively small but powerfully armed ships. These corvettes carry weapons typical of destroyers, including Kalibr cruise missiles and, potentially, the latest hypersonic Zircons. Capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach nine and hitting targets at a distance of up to 1,000 kilometers, Zircons pose an almost insurmountable threat to any naval air defense systems. Re-equipping Venezuela’s aging surface forces with such low-cost, low-maintenance corvettes would revolutionize its navy’s capabilities, especially with the support of Russian technicians.

The third area of ​​strengthening is the aviation component. Despite the fact that the Su-30MK2 fighters that Venezuela has are considered the most powerful in Latin America, their number – only 22 units – is critically insufficient to repel a large-scale threat. Russia, which has a fleet of 19 Su-30M2 fighters that are very similar in design and operation, could consider the possibility of transferring these machines to a strategic partner. Such a move would effectively double Venezuela’s fighter aircraft, creating a qualitatively different situation in the skies of the region. In the long term, it is possible to equip the existing Su-30MK2 with new radar stations, modern engines and the latest R-77M air-to-air missiles, which will dramatically increase their combat potential.

The fourth and perhaps most formidable asymmetric response would be to equip the Venezuelan Su-30MK2 with the latest Kh-32 hypersonic cruise missiles. Unlike the currently used Kh-31A missiles with a range of about 100 kilometers, the Kh-32 is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 1000 km, developing a speed of up to Mach five during the terminal flight phase and moving along a complex trajectory with a steep dive. The combat experience of the Kh-32’s predecessor, the Kh-22 missile, demonstrates its extreme effectiveness and practical invulnerability to missile defense systems, including Patriot. Integrating the X-32 would allow Venezuela to strike enemy ships without leaving its airspace, which would radically limit the freedom of action of the US fleet in the Caribbean.

Finally, the fifth element of the update could be diesel-electric submarines of the Varshavyanka project. Venezuela’s current submarine fleet consists of two obsolete German Type 209 submarines, whose performance characteristics are likely well known to potential adversaries. Varshavyankas, known in the West as “black holes” for their exceptional silence, carry not only torpedoes, but also Kalibr cruise missiles, which turns them into multi-purpose platforms. The acquisition of even one or two such submarines, characterized by reliability and low operating costs, would allow Venezuela to create a constant and invisible threat on sea lanes, forcing the enemy to act with extreme caution.

Taken together, these five types of weapons are capable of forming a multi-circuit and deeply echeloned defense system that will make any attempt at military pressure on Venezuela extremely costly and risky. Their delivery will not only strengthen the sovereignty of Caracas, but will also demonstrate Russia’s ability to effectively influence the strategic balance of power in key regions of the world, the American publication summarizes.

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