My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

I know I got on the band wagon for the unsuccessful Singapore campaign a couple of years ago, but I think if possible Venezuela should be given some consideration before this game is closed out. It is well documented that the countries of
S. America over the last several years have been one of the largest importers of arms worldwide. The reason Venezuela and it's government. Just in the last few months a situation was avoided between them and Columbia which could've had consequences for the U.S. Also Russia has been supplying billions in military aid to include a further deal just agreed to a few months back (Included below.). I just completed including the new APC for my final list of this year for Brazil in which they've spent over 1.5 billion dollars on it alone beyond modernization why? Venezuela where there's no real love loss between the two countries. Venezuela is also trying to get nuclear technology from the Russians as well along with it's close ties to Iran. They're a potential flash point much like N. Korea. I would think it'd better the the game and there's my case in a nutshell. I'm not suggesting going back to 1946 and really wouldn't bother with anything before 1990, 1995 but probably not much later than 2000. Yes I would help in finding the equipment available with the references. I wouldn't suggust it otherwise, hey what's one more item? Might as well I even got jets on the list now as well anyway!!! Just a thought for something for to get done over the next couple of years or more.
Here's the story:
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Sec...6351270749864/
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/20029/
http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2009/...arms_deals.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58E0TY20090915 Nuke Plant approved see left side.
http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/...A3718293.shtml
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Sec...0851222701429/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8253822.stm Shows spending graph against GDP for sample of countries below article.

Regards,
Pat

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

This is the deal I've been watching for and now it's apparently going to happen. This could potentially shake things up here in the U.S. as well as these missiles will be able to reach the heavily populated area around Miami, FL. as well as the S. American countries that have political issues with the current government. These missiles are coming along technically now and are the same ones Israel is concerned with. Note the writers credentials at bottom also, this was pulled from the DID source.
http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives...blic-near-you/

Regards,
Pat

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Just a little more info, note relevant posts section @ bottom.
http://defense-update.com/wp/2011031...uisitions.html

Regards,
Pat

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Having been heavily involved with user made "nations" in the past, I can tell you that there have been no plans to add any additional nations to the game for some time now and that this is unlikely to change. I believe the current number of nations is the maximum the game will allow without a massive modification of the code. At base its a technical issue rather than one of which nation might make the cut to be added.

People have talked about building one as a replacement for the Green OOB for some time, or as a possible Red replacement to be paired with Colombia as a Green replacement. These projects have generally fizzled when it becomes clear how much work it is to build even a semi-functional OOB from scratch. The ones I've done are all pretty small. I thought for years I might pick up the Colombia/Venezuela project myself, but I just couldn't find the energy. A lack of readily available sources in English was also an issue.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

While I certainly could have been MUCH faster with my rebuild of the USMC OOB (2 years of "when I had time and was in the mood") I'd say it took somewhere around 400-600 man-hours. And that was with already having an OOB base to work from.
So aside from the limit on the total number of nations pointed out by thatguy96 you're looking at one massive amount of work.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

While I knew this wasn't going to have much of a shot, I just thought to increase the odds a little by limiting the scope of such a project by shortening the timeline as stated as no earlier then 1990, 1995 or 2000. Most of the arms have been purchased really in the last five years or so. Hugo Chavez is a loose cannon and with him building a missile base capable of launching Iranian missiles that can reach S. Florida and getting a nuke reactor also from them (And I believe the first nuke power on the continent.) it makes for an interesting situation. I was building an equipment list from 1995 which by default would cover the period ~1990 anyway. Besides on the plus side for everyone else look what we got in the game for that part of the world in the last patch with more to come hopefully as well to be submitted this time around just because of "My case for can Venezuela...", sometimes you just need a motivator, which GySgt. Charles V. says of me at work. I can't let him down down, he helped us fix the LAV-AD after all. So I'll work my list once in awhile, maybe get the call at some point but, in the meantime "my eyes are on the ball" down south in the second largest arms market in the world. Just a little insight moment again.

Regards,
Pat

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Hi.
If countries could be added to the game in America could be added to Colombia and Venezuela. Not just a hypothetical conflict, but because in the case of Colombia and has several years of struggle against the FARC. It is true that guns are buying.
With respect to the nuclear mentioned FASTBOAT TOUGH not know, but I would not be the first plant on the continent. Brazil and Argentina have nuclear power plants. Nuclear plants are for energy, not exactly to create bombs. With the bombs that the U.S. and Russia have had enough.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Oooh, it seems a bit harsh calling the chap a loose cannon, just for trying to defend his country. The guy does seem to be slowly turning a little bit bonkers, but you can hardly blame him. The stress of living in the shadow of a country that has for decades been meddling in the affairs of his and his neighbours countries must be enormous. And by meddling I mean the sort of meddling that costs a lot of lives.

I'm sure at some point, he will finally crack-up completely and try and install himself as a dictator (he's laid the ground work already by eliminating rules about how many times he can be re-elected) but so far, he's not actually done anything wrong (or at least not by the standards set by any other country). Even those missiles aren't built yet, let alone launched. And why would he lauch them at Florida? Is Disney World a significant strategic target? Will America fall if the Cinderella Castle falls? I suspect not.
As for now, I kind of warm to his attempts to not play by the rules of the local tough-guy.

Sorry for that chaps, but sometimes these forums need a little bit of bleeding-heart liberal. :angel

Humble apologies.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Chavez might be something of a loose cannon and may eventually go down the route of president for life (which however given his health conditions might not last that long). Still nowhere in the same league of a R�*os Montt, Jorge Videla, Somoza and others south american politicians who make or have made Mussolini look like Mother Theresa of Calcutta.
As for nuclear power both Argentina and Brazil have nuclear power plants, the latter has done considerable work on uranium enrichment (they even got in some hot water with the IAEA over inspection at the Resende plant) and has been flirting with the idea of building a SSN.
About he missile base, all I have heard of is a newspaper article talking about plans to build such. Even assuming it is not a figment of somebody's imagination (or plain cheap disinfo) and it is indeed being seriously planned it remains to be see whether it will actually go throught as such as scheme can easily flounder for a couple of dozens of reasons.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Dictators who you appoint as Videla was supported by the U.S. government Kissinger in particular. It is no coincidence that there were several dictatorships in Latin America between 60 and 80.
I do not defend Chavez, I do not advocate their methods. But do not be so innocent about U.S. foreign policy. It would be suicide to want to compete against the big nuclear powers.

Pd: U.S. attacked Iraq to destroy weapons of mass destruction. But they found nothing. Hope you do not want to do the same against Latin American countries.
I regret having to discuss policy issues in the forum of a game, but I did not start.
Regards

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Just easier to do this in this manner, I thought Don had responded but I was mistaken though, in the first reply I see why he wouldn't have. Venezuela is to this day still building up it's military with strong ties with Russia. This caused the build up and modernization of Brazil's military also ongoing. As you'll see Singapore is mentioned from a prior "movement" a couple years before this thread in 2009. I was quite frankly surprised to see a new OOB myself let alone Georgia. But under the current situation I can see but it would be more "isolated" than the Ukraine and I fear if he moved there except some posturing Russia wouldn't be stopped though it might open the door to militarily supply the Ukraine. I had more recently suggested an "overflow" OOB to accommodate the top five or six OOB's in maintaining equipment we will likely see before games end. We'll see what happens.

Regards,
Pat

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

I think the answer is pretty plain HERE

I do think that there is room for a player created MOD OOB for Venuzuela, Oman, Columbia and perhaps a handful of other minor powers.

I would ask for easier modding of the picklists rather than new "official" OOBs

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Trust me I can read and understand your issue but, I would also suggest that in 2021 when theoretically the last Patch(s) get entered, a couple of those R&D OOB's probably would no longer be needed(?) at that point. However I don't see it. But I certainly would know exactly where I would go too get that equipment data for any such project for any country in the world should it be needed. ;) But for now I'm just thankful for the Patch we just got, it was a gift and like any gift I receive I'm very appreciative for it. So Andy and Don a belated THANK YOU is in order from me.

Regards,
Pat

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Very early alpha of a slightly modified GREEN OOB to add some Venezulan units from their recent military buildup.

Venezulan units start in Slot 632

Venezulan weapons added to make this work have a * added to the end, e.g.
9M38 Buk* to help identify them in the OBAT.

Venezulan formations start at Slot 407

BONUS: Flag graphics in BMP format if you want to mess with SHPs and make the GREEN flag become Venezulan.

This is a very early alpha, hence the v0.1 Alpha in the ZIP title.

Sampling of new units:

AMX-30V (Venezulan Upgrade in 1989 that added laser rangefinding and a better computer.)

AMX-13-C.90 (Venezulan Upgrade in 1991 that added laser rangefinding, better transmission, engine, etc).

Scorpion 90* (The Venezulan version of the Scorpion 90 that they bought had a laser rangefinder.)

T-72B1V (I grabbed the Georgian Unit 024 - T-72Sim-1 and made it into this to represent the Venezulan tanks).

K-8W Karakorum. Hawk-like trainer that's being produced by China/Pakistan.

VN-16 Lt. Tank (Copy of Chinese OBAT unit 739 ZBD-2000, as this is the export version of it).

VN-18 IFV (Copy of Chinese OBAT unit 740 ZBD-04 IFV, as this is the Export version of it. I removed the HJ-73C since I was doing quick and dirty copy-overs and I wasn't sure how it was mounted - may put it back).

VN-1 APC (Copy of French OBAT unit 096 VBCI, but with the stats degraded downward somewhat; i.e. less protection and no MRAP status, and using a 30mm autocannon instead of 25mm. This is a very new Chinese 8x8 APC that's being offered for export and I think being sold to the PLA(N) as well.)

You may fire at will, FASTBOAT TOUGH. :p

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Thanks. Now we need Colombian OOB as opponent right?

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Pre-Post: Thanks Don/Andy for moving this to the TO&E page. Appreciate it. :)

Warhero, here's an upgraded version of the OOB. Call it v0.15 Alpha with new Colombian units beginning at slot 700.

Some notes for those wanting to design a CURRENT scenario with Colombian Units -- numbers are taken from Wikipedia so they're only good for the last few years.

Colombia:

180 x EE-9 IV Armored Cars
800 x Humvees (with TOWs in some)
130 x M113
100 x EE-11 Urutu
67 x M1117 ASV (added in this OBAT from USA)
56 x LAV III Gladiad (added in this OBAT from CANADA)-- will replace M113 and EE-11. Has RWS and double V Blast hull (MRAP class).

21 x Mi-17
64+ x UH-1
54+ x UH-60/S-70
7 x A-37B Dragonfly
20 x IAI Kfir
24 EMB 314 A-29 Super Tucano (added in this OBAT from Brazil)

4 x Almirante Padilla frigates with a 76mm OTO Melara naval gun. Use 3 Inch Naval Gun in OOB to represent this.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

This might be useful...

1) Know your enemy and this one's been around since 1962/64...
https://web.stanford.edu/group/mappi...groups/view/89

2) Some equipment help...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/colom...elligence.html
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ization-05273/
http://defence-blog.com/army/new-arm...bian-army.html

I would recommend SIPRI if for no other reason than to "bounce" some of this off from. I've personally have found them to be very accurate in their data reporting if you take the time to read where it all comes from.

3) If your Spanish is good or you use Google (I'm a Mozilla Firefox guy, no translator that I'm aware of.) this should help a great deal...
https://www.mindefensa.gov.co/irj/portal/Mindefensa

Don't forget to call/or think about Mom today!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Thanks about units. Maybe someday there will be "complete" OOBs for both nations? Btw, some years ago I saw TV news about Colombian guerilla war (against FARC if I remember right?) and I saw some tank which seemed to be T-55 or 72 at first glance. So I'm amazed that list included not any "heavy" tanks at all;)... Just light types.

Warhero

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Currently investigating mexico for my next addition to GREEN. Did you know the 12th Cavalry Regiment (Mexican) in Chiapas had M8 SP Guns, M8 Greyhounds, M3A1 and M5A1 light tanks until 1994 in active duty?

They were posted there for two reasons (anti rebel duty) and to deter Guatemala from invading Chiapas -- as the two nations have a longstanding border dispute there.

EDIT I: This is so awesome -- modern-ish armored car hull with 1943 era M8 SPH turret (DN-V Buffalo - see image)

EDIT II: Looks like there's a connection between Mexico and Ireland -- Mexico contracted for a variant of the Timoney APC to be built in Mexico as the BDX.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Columbia doesn't have any heavy armor which was why Israel was hoping (Twice) to have made a deal for Columbia to have been it's first export customer for the MERKAVA IV MBT. Columbia was accessing the need for a MBT but, nothing has been reported on it's outcome now for almost 2yrs. now. The negotiations with Israel at best are on hold if not cancelled. This is in the MBT Thread. Alright I'll save you the trouble to include the posturing oldest to newest...
http://www.antiwar.com/jamail/?articleid=3594

From below ref. 2..."In 2009, the Colombian Army expressed its interest to buy Arjun to fulfil its immediate requirement of 10 tanks and further requirement of 100 tanks over five years." -

DOA then & NOW

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/arjun-mbt/
http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives...ges-to-bogota/
http://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/co...tanks-colombia

Their best "armor" came from Canada in 2014 in the form of the PIRANHA III/in the STRYKER configuration designated GUARDIAN (If memory serves.) in Columbia.

I'm not going to provide a geography lesson here when anything I've read on the terrain in Columbia matches what I've read in ref. 3 above. That's at least part of the answer, the other is more diplomatic the U.S.(A) is there. Makes a wonderful jungle warfare training area for us.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Don't worry I'm not advocating for Russian armored trains to be entered in the game, but this next is after all something you don't hear about everyday. Note the look of the soldier on the right in the picture, I wonder is he thinking "I'm not feeling as protected as my comrades inside the train!?!" Probably just bored! Anyway...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/augus..._11508161.html

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Here is my suggestion. There are probably orbats you never use, (Example, recently I realized I have NEVER used South Yemen, not since the original DOS Spmbt 1.0.) Take that oob out and if it has the dates you want, put Venezuela in its place.

troopie

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

However, there are those of us that use South Yemen all the time...

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

And using an arab country as a base for a South Americam one will produce battle locations in the Middle East - arid and desert.

If you want to overwrite an OOB for this nation, use Green. It tends to produce Latin and Central American batlocs since green is used for the minor South American countries.

I did a Mexican green OOB some years back for example - V could be done similarly.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

My mention of South Yemen was merely an example. Somebody else, for example, might never use Uruguay, which overwriting would produce South American locations.

I never said you HAD to use South Yemen.

troopie

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Since Venezuela is back in the news:

From another forum:

"The Venezuelan-Colombian border is not all jungle,not by a long shot.

I'm about to blow some minds here but there is even a desert that spans both borders.

This suitability for armored warfare is why Colombia bought ATGMs from Israel when Venezuela bought so many tanks from Russia.

Colombia doesn't have heavy armor because their military has been focused on internal security rather than dealing with an external threat for pretty much 75 years. They were going to buy Spain's surplus AMX30s a few years ago but elected to go with more anti-tank missiles instead.

The Venezuelan army is being deployed along the border,as you can see this portion is scrub land.

[see attachment]"

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

What about expanding Red oob for Venezuelan specifico units and Green oob for Colombia?

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

To me it feels like Green needs a massive rework in general. It feels pretty sparse, even as we get into the 21st century. Much like Blue and Green in WWII are generic European countries, I wouldn't mind seeing Green turned into the same, using NATO vehicles like the M1 Abrams without the DU armor, Patriot SAM batteries, and more modern strike craft. Throwing Venezuela in would also work, since I'm surprised that they're missing in the normal OOB.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Venezulan TOE derived from Wikipedia (Spanish version)

This is pretty rough and broken up since I still need to seamlessly streamline everything as I got it from multiple sources.

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuerza...s_de_Venezuela
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ejérc...o_de_Venezuela
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:...l_de_Venezuela

##############################

Venezula's Military is formally called the "Bolivarian National Armed Forces" (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana / FANB); and consists of the following:

##############################

Armada Bolivariana (AB) / Bolivarian Navy

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armada...a_de_Venezuela

6 x Lupo-Class Missile Frigates (Delivered 1980-82)
127/54 (5"/54) OTO Melara Gun.
2 x 40mm/70 AA Guns
8 x Aspide SAMs

4 x Patrol/Surveillance Vessels (Delivered 2011-2012)
76mm OTO Melara Gun
2 x 35mm AA Guns

3 x Vosper 37m Gunboats (Delivered 1974-75)
Looks like 76mm OTO Gun

4 x LSTs (Delivered 1983-1984)

Naval Aviation
8 x Mi-17V5

####################################

Infantería de Marina Bolivariana (IMB) / Bolivarian Marine Infantry

Current strength (2019) is 17,500 men. The present day Venezulan Marine Corps dates to December 1945, and their history goes:

1945: 1 x Battalion size
1946: 2 x Battalion size
2000: Marine Corps are elevated by decree to divisional size and the new division is designated División de Infantería de Marina Gral. Simón Bolívar.

Marine AFVs

37 x EE-11VE Urutu
11 x LVTP-7
40 x VN-18 AAV
40 x VN-16 Amphibious Tank
40 x VN-1 Amphibious IFV

##############################

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/amer...la-af-home.htm

Aviación Militar Bolivariana (AMB) / Military Aviation Bolivariana

History of military aviation in Venezula goes as:

1920 : The Military Aviation School is created.
1930 : The first operational unit is established.
1936 : The Military Aviation Regiment No. 1 is formed.
1944 : The Air Force is renamed the Aeronautics Service .
1946 : The Air Force becomes independent and is renamed the Fuerza Aérea Venezuelana (FAV).

During the 1950s large quantities of modern aircraft, Venom, Vampire, Camberra and F-86 Sabre were bought.

Starting in 1971, another modernization program was begun and Mirage V, CF-5A/D Freedom Fighter, OV-10E Bronco and some C-130H Hercules were bought to replace the obsolete fighter and COIN aircraft. During the next decade modern replacement was bought and Venezuela became the first and only country during this time in Southern America to receive F-16A/B fighters from the USA in 1983.

The service was rename Aviación Militar Venezolana (AMV) in 2001. The Air Force got its present name Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana (AMNB) at a later date.

1949 Aircraft
P-47D Thunderbolts, C-47 and C-54A Transports, B-25J Mitchells, AT-6/AT-7/C-45 based transports.

1969 Aircraft
F-86F, F-86K, DH.112 Venom, Vampire, Canberra, B-25J Mitchell, C-47, C-54A, C-123B and the following helicopters: S-51, S-55 and Bell 47G.

1989 Aircraft
Mirage IIIE, Mirage 5V/DV, CF-5D, Canberra, OV-10E Bronco, F-16A/B, C-130H, C-47, UH-1 Huey, Alouette III, Super Puma.

----------------------------------------

?? x P-47D Thunderbolt
Following the Treaty of Rio in September 1947, significant quantities of US warplanes arrived in South America to re-equip South American Air Forces.

24 x DeHavilland Vampire FB.52
Ordered to replace the P-47D in service with the FAV, the first ones arrived in late 1949/early 1950 and the type was apparently in service until 1968 when they were replaced with more advanced fighters.

22 x DeHavilland Venom FB.54 (Export variant of Venom FB.4)
Ordered July 1955, first aircraft delivered 3 December 1955 and the last on 17 August 1956. Operated in service until 1973, being replaced with F-86K Sabredogs.

32 x F-86F Sabre (Acquired Oct 1955 - Dec 1960)

According to Baugher, four FAV F-86Fs participated in an abortive coup in 1958, strafing the presidential palace in Caracas. Six F-86Fs were lost in accidents. Most surviving F-86Fs were grounded in 1969. The F-86Fs were retired in 1971, nine going to Bolivia.

79 x F-86K Sabredog (Acquired 1965-1966)

According to Baugher, most F-86Ks remained in storage and never actually flew; with 27~ being cannibalized for spares to keep the others flying. The Sabredog was a maintenance nightmare for the FAV, with most of the fleet being grounded by July 1969 due to overage hydraulic hoses, and the last withdrawn by the early 1970s.

---30 x English Electric Canberra broken down as---

6 x Canberra B.2 (Canberra Batch I)
Ordered October 1952, delivered 1953, with two diverted from RAF contracts.

8 x Canberra B(I).8 and 2 x Canberra T.4 (Canberra Batch II)
Delivered 1957-1958, one bomber was ordered by Egypt but embargoed, while the T.4s were from a cancelled RAF order.

12 x Canberra B.2 and 2 x Canberra PR.3 (Canberra Batch III)
Delivered 1965-1967. Refurbished ex-RAF units. Four B.2s were set up in an intruder configuration like the B(I), with the cannon pack and underwing stores pylons, and were referred with the designation of "Canberra B(I).2". Venezuela was the only Canberra user to use this particular Canberra configuration.

There were a series of upgrade and life-extension programs for all the Venezulan Canberras, with the updated machines redesignated by adding "80" to the original designation: "B.82", "B(I).82", "T.84", and "B(I).88"

Final withdrawal of the type occured in 1990.

19 x F-16A/B Block 15 OCU Falcons

From F-16.net:

"In May 1982, the government of Venezuela signed an agreement to buy 18 block 15 F-16A's and six Block 15 F-16B's to replace the fleet of Mirage III interceptors and Mirage 5 ground-attack aircraft serving with the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana. This purchase was under the Peace Delta Foreign Military Sales program. The original intent was for an order of up to 72 aircraft, but budget restraints lowered that number to 24.

However, the Venzuelan order was not approved immediately because the US government wanted to sell Venezuela the F-16/79 (a slightly degraded F-16 version developed for export orders) instead. In 1983, the US government abandoned its hopes of selling the F-16/79, and finally approved the sale of the F100-powered F-16s to Venezuela

The FAV accepted its first aircraft in September 1983."

23 x Su-30MKV

Export version of Su-30MK2 for Venezula. 24 aircraft ordered in July 2006, first two aircraft delivered November 2006. Presumably one has since crashed.

24 x Hongdu K-8W Karakorum Light Attack/Advanced Trainers

Purchase announced in 2008.

10 x EMB-312V Tucano
5 x Aermacchi SF.260B
2 x C-130HV Hercules
8 x Shaanxi Y-8 F-200W
6 x Mi-17V5
6 x AS.332B1 Super Puma
10 x AS.532AC Cougar
2 x AS.532UL Cougar
27~ CAVIM SANT Harpy UAVs
4 x HAWK UAV

Air Defense

Like a lot of other countries, the Venezulan AF controls heavy air defense.

12 x Batteries S-300VM (Antey-25500)
7 x Batteries BUK-M2E (Shared with Venezulan Marines)
24 x Mobile S-125 Pechora-2M (2000s era modernized SA-3 GOA)

##############################

Guardia Nacional Bolivariana (GNB) / Bolivarian National Guard

TBD

##############################

Milicia Nacional Bolivariana (MNB) / Bolivarian National Milita

TBD

##############################

Ejército Bolivariano (EB) / Bolivarian Army

Tanks

https://www.fav-club.com/2016/02/13/...-en-venezuela/

12? x Turtle Armored Cars. (Built 1934)

7mm Vickers MG, built on a ford heavy truck chassis. Thin armor plating, similar to halftrack, but fully enclosed. Survived until around 1945-46.

1 x Carden Loyd Mk.VI Tank

One arrived in 1933 or so, for tests.

2 x CV-33 Tankette

Two arrived in 1939, but the outbreak of WW2 prevented any more from arriving. Last seen in a barracks in 1947.

First Serious AFVs

In February 1945, the first Motoblindao Battalion stood up, armed with:

18 x M3A1 Stuart Light Tanks
12 x White M3A1 Scout Cars
9 x M3A1 HalfTracks
2 x M32 Recovery Vehicles
20 x Harley WLA Motorcycles
30 x Jeep
6 x Chevrolet Trucks
2 x Ambulances.

The battalion's armored vehicles were quite useful during the coup of 18 October 1945.

In 1947, eight more M3 halftracks arrived, along with 15 more M3A1 White Scout Cars.

By the end of the 1940s, about 12 x M3 halftracks were turned into SPAA with the mounting of 37mm cannon. Likewise, about 18 x M3A1 Scout Cars became SPAA with the mounting of twin 13.2mm Hotchkiss MGs.

The Army Builds Up

40 x M18A1 Hellcat TD: Acquired between 1952-1954
20 x M8 Greyhound AC: Acquired between 1952-1954

The above buy largely replaced prior buys, with only a few M3 Stuarts remaining in service.

On 29 April 1953, the AMX-13 M.51 (Model 51) was presented to Venezula, and on 10 February 1954, a contract was signed for 40 tanks. The first AMX-13 M.51 were delivered in 1955.

In the beginning of the 1960s, 15 x M59 APCs arrived as part of a US MDAP. The Army rejected them, as did the Marines. Finally, the M59s were assigned to the Base Protection Squads for the Venezulan Air Force. Eventually they fell out of service due to lack of maintenance.

In 1961, the Venezulan Marines received 12 x M42 Dusters; these were the Marines' first Armored vehicles.

In 1963, the M41 Walker Bulldog was evaluated against the M18A1 Hellcat and AMX-13 M.51. It was recommended for acquistion to equip one armored battalion, but this never happened.

In 1969, the first 4x4 V-100/V-150 Commando ACs began to arrive. At this time, there were still six M3A1 Scout Cars in service carrying 81mm Mortars.

At the same time, as part of the grand plan to rebuild the Venezulan Army, efforts were made to purchase the Leopard 1. When this failed, the government went to France and ordered a significant quantity of AFVs.

From 1972-1975, the french delivered:

82 x AMX-30B
4 x AMX-30D
50 x AMX-13/VTT (incl. VTT/VCI IFV, VTT/PC Command Post, 81mm Mortar Carrier, VTT-TB Ambulance, VTT-LT Artillery)
12 x AMX-13 Mle F.3 155mm SPH
12 x Panhard AML-530S with 20mm AA Guns

On 14 November 1974, due to the influx of French equipment it was decided to create an Armored Brigade, organized as follows:

Command Company (AMX-13 VTT-PC)
AA Battery (Panhard AML-530S)
Mechanized Infantry Battalion (AMX-13 VTT-VCI)
2 x Armored Battalions (AMX-30B / AMX-30D)
1 x Armored Battalion (M18A1 Hellcat)
Artillery Group (AMX-13 Mle. F3 and AMX-13 VTT-LT)

At this time, some equipment pass-arounds occured. One of the AMX-30 Armored battalions passed it's older AMX-13 M.51s to an Armored Cavalry Group, and this Cavalry Group in turn passed it's V-100 Commandos to a pair of Motorized Cavalry Groups.

The Military Police continued to use the M8 Greyhounds.

In the same time frame in 1972, the US transferred 20+ M42A1 Dusters to replace the older Dusters used by the Marines.

In 1974, the Marines form their first Amphibious Tank Unit, equipped with 11 x LVT-7s; which are broken down as:

9 x LVTP-7 APC
1 x LVTC-7 Command Post
1 x LVTR-7 Recovery

By the end of the 1970s, the AFV count was:

Army: 350~ AFV
Marines: 23~ AFV
National Guard: 20~ AFV

As the 1980s began, the military continued to re-equip.

In 1980, the Marines transferred their M42A1 Dusters to the Army, and in 1983 the Panhard AML-530S were retired.

In 1983, two batteries of LAR-160 rocket launchers on the chassis of the AMX-13 arrived.

In 1984, 10 x Transportpanzer TPz-1 APCs arrived from Germany. Originally they were to form an armored unit in the Presidential Guard to replace the M8 Greyhound, but instead they were assigned to an infantry unit.

In 1984, the Marines received from Brazil various EE-11 Urutu amphibious APCs in the following versions:

20 x EE-11 M3-S6 armed with 12.7mm MG
14 x EE-11 M3-S7 armed with 20mm Oerlikon GAM-BO1 in same turret as M3-S6.
3 x EE-11 M3-S1 Command Post Vehicles
3 x EE-11 M3-S2 Recovery Vehicles

The Verne Corporation (now General Dynamics) Dragoon 300 was purchased to equip Motorized Cavalry units. 101 were bought in five versions, with the first arriving in mid 1987.

42 x Dragoon 300 with 90mm Cockerill Mk.3M-A1 Gun
25 x Dragoon 300 APC
21 x Dragoon 300 Mortars
11 x Dragoon 300 Command Post
2 x Dragoon 300 Recovery Vehicles

In August 1987, the Colombian Corvette Caldas sailed into the Gulf of Venezula, into Venezulan waters and provoked a crisis that threatened to become a shooting war.

One armored brigade and other mechanized units were prepared and deployed to the border region of the Goajira Penisula in case war broke out. Once the crisis passed, both Venezula and Colombia began rearmament.

Following the Caldas crisis and the arrival of all of the Dragoon 300 vehicles, the old M18A1 Hellcats were placed into reserve; and the Global Procurement Plan was begun.

In 1988, the Army issued a order to Engesa for 100 x EE-11 Urutu, some of which were to be armed with 90mm guns.

In 1989, the modernization of AMX-30B and AMX-30D was begun. In that same year, the last M42A1 Dusters were withdrawn in favor of the RBS-70 MANPADS.

In 1990, the contract for 100+ EE-11 was rescinded due to the bankruptcy of the company. The Army looked at other manufacturers to equip two armored/mechanized battalions.

France offered modernized AMX-30s, originally intended for a middle eastern country, but instead the Army bought from the British:

78 x Scorpion 90
4 x FV-106 Recovery
2 x FV-105 Sultan
2 x FV-104 Samaritan (never delivered, fire on ship. Never replaced.)

31 x AMX-13.C90 tanks were bought surplus from the French Army. Before delivery, the French modernized them with new diesel engine, automatic transmission, hydropneumatic suspension, Sopelem 18-02 fire control system. When they arrived, they replaced the old AMX-13 M.51s bought in 1954, and the M.51s were placed in storage.

In June 1991, a Yugoslav company presented a modernized M18A1 Hellcat to the Army. It would have a new fire control system, night vision, Luna-2 Infrared system, diesel engine, smoke launcher, and enclosed turret. The Army rejected this and this marked the end of the M18 Hellcat after 40 years of service in the Venezulan Army.

In 1995, the first 71 modernized AMX-30B were finally delivered; with the remaining 16 in 1996. Upon delivery, the designation changed from AMX-30B to AMX-30V.

The modernization was:

Engine:
AVDS-1790-2C-12-V engine (750hp)
Allison CD-850-6A automatic transmission
Speed raised to 65 km/h
Range from 536 km to 721 km.

A shoot on move gun stabilizer was installed, along with the Elbit Systems Lansadot MkI and a laser rangefinder.

In 1997, the AMX-13 Stinger was put forth; which mounted the turret of the Panhard AML S530 with 2 x 20mm guns on the chassis of an AMX-13 M.51

In 1998, the AMX-13 Rafaga was put forth. Again, as before an AMX-13 M.51 chassis was used, but this time the M42A1 Duster's turret was used.

These vehicles had a very short operational life.

By the end of the 1990s, the Army was thinking about replacing the Scorpion family with the FV4333 Stormer family. When Hugo Chavez took power, he cancelled a significant nubmer of military projects, including that one.

In 2003, studies began on replacing the V100 Commando, and the following were considered:

8x8 MOWAG Piranhra (disqualified)
6x6 Steyr Pandur (disqualified)
4x4 Sabiex Iguana FV4 (favorite)

However, the decision was made to develop the indigenous 4x4 Tiuna APC.

In March 2008, the Colombians bombed, then invaded a FARC base in Ecuadorian territory. This provoked a diplomatic crisis with Chavez putting the military on alert. In October 2008, the Russians were contacted for the purchase of a huge military package.

In 2009, the package was finalized, and was:

92 x T-72B1 (Russian Army Surplus)
BREM-1 Recovery Vehicles (Russian Army Surplus)
123 x BMP-3 (Incl BMP-3K command post and BREM-L recovery)
114 x BTR-80 family (BTR-80A, BTR-80K, and BREM-K recovery)
42 x MSTA-S plus MT-LBU
28 x BM-21 Grad to replace LAR-160
12 x BM-30 Smerch
16 x SP Mortars Nona SVK

First deliveries began May 2011.

In 2012, the Bolivarian National Guard contacted NORINCO about armored vehicles, and an order for the VN-4 family of 4x4 vehicles was finalized in the following variants:

111 x APCs
10 x Command Post

First 30 vehicles arrived December 2012, with a new batch ordered in 2015. The VN-4 bolstered the National Guard's fleet, which had only the Fiat 6614, as the old UR-416 had been retired long ago.

Additionally, in 2012, NORINCO signed a contract to re-equip the Venezulan Marines with:

VN-1 APC (New Chinese 8x8 APC)
VN-16 Amphibious Light Tank (export version of ZBD-2000)
VN-18 Amphibious IFV (export version of ZBD-04 IFV)
SR-5 MRLS (122mm or 2200mm guided MLRS) -- basically MRLS or ATACM options for launcher like with M270 MLRS.
81mm SM-1 SP Mortars (2B9 Vasilek style automatic mortar on a 4x4 truck)
120mm SM-4 SP Mortars (standard 120mm mortar carrier on a 6x6 IFV chassis)

NORINCO had beat out the Russians, who offered the BMP-3F and BTR-80A for the Marines.

The first 34 VN-1s arrived in December 2014.
9 x VN-16 and 23 x VN-18 were delivered September 2015; and reached a water speed of 17 knots in acceptance tests.

In October 2013; the Veneuzlan Army announced plans to modernize 300+ Armored Vehicles, among them:

AMX-30V into AMX-30VE
AMX-13C.90
Dragoon 300

################################################## #################

192 x T-72B1V
Going onto Spanish Wikipedia says that this is a version of the T-72B1 (aka SMT M1988 / Super Dolly Parton) with ERA blocks added on the front hull and turret. I'd assume the Venezulans had the rangefinder/ballistic computer upgraded as well.

84 x AMX-30V / AMX-30VE

In 1971, Venezula ordered 82 x AMX-30B MBT and 4 x AMX-30D recovery vehicles. Delivery occured in 1972.

In 1989, they were modernized by replacing the original 650 hp water cooled engine with a 750 hp air cooled engine. Additionally, the original fire control was replaced by a digital fire control with laser rangefinder integrated into it.

Modernized tanks were designated AMX-30V.

In 2016, a second modernization program was announced. A new gun stabilizer was to be installed, as well as two (?) ballistic computers, one for the commander, and one for the gunner -- maybe a primitive hunter/killer capability?

Elsewhere, a digital metereological mast, day/thermal camera for driver, GPS receiver, 7 kW auxiliary generator and a new track system were to be fitted.

The second modernization was designated AMX-30VE.

36 x AMX-13-C.90

In 1954, Venezula bought 40 x AMX-13M.51 armed with the 75mm cannon.

Later, in 1989, to replace the AMX-13M.51 in service, 31 x AMX-13C.90 armed with a 90mm cannon were ordered from the French (being surplus to French requirements).

I assume that during the delivery process; the C.90s were refreshed with a better transmission, laser rangefinder, engine; since other sources say the C.90s got these.

Scorpion (FV-101) family

Variants ordered by Venezula were:

78 x Scorpion 90; export variant armed with 90mm Cockerill Mk3 M-A1 gun.
4 to 6 x FV-104 Samaritan
2 x FV-105 Sultan
4 x FV-106 Sanson

The Scorpion 90 at some point seems to have been refitted with a laser rangefinder.

130 x BMP-3M

Delivered 2011, equipped with 9M117 Bastion ATGM. Some indications show that more were bought bringing up total to 300.

10 x BREM-L

Recovery vehicle based on T-72 chassis. Delivered 2011.

114 to 150 x BTR-80A

In September 2009, 114 x BTR-80A were acquired.

70~ x NORINCO CS / VP-4


50 x V-100 Commando (in storage apparently)
30 x V-150 Commando (in storage apparently)

By 1970, Venezula had received 70+ 4x4 vehicles in the V100 and V150 family, in the following versions:

APC
Command Post
81mm Mortar Carrier

14 x TPz Fuchs

53 x M8 Greyound Armored Cars

75 x AMX-13 VTT/VCI Series

Variants acquired are:

25 x VTT/VCI
10 x VTT/LT
20 x VTT/PM
12 x VTT/PC
8 x VTT/TB

10 x Panhard AML S 530

GDLS Dragoon 300 Armored Car Family

Around 1987, the army began to acquire the GDLS Dragoon 300 family in the following variants:

42 x Dragoon 300 LFV2 Armored Cars with 90mm Cockerill Mk.3M-A1 gun
25 x APC Dragoon
21 x PM (Unknown, may be Command Post)
11 x P (Unknown, may be 81mm Mortar Carrier)
2 x Recovery Vehicles, Dragoon

Army Aviation

10 x Mi-35M2 Caribe with 9M120 Ataka V ATGM?
16 x Mi-17V-5 Panare
3 x Mi-26T Pemon
17 x UH-1 / Bell 205 variants
8 x Bell 206B Jet Ranger
2 x Bell 412SP
10 x Bell 412EP
3 x AS-61D Sea King
11 x PZL M28 Transports (variant of An-28)

Common Vehicles
5,000 x Tiuna (sort of like maybe a moderbnized humvee)
450 x Pinzgauer
983 x Toyota J70 Land Cruiser
1,200 x M35 6x6 Cargo Trucks
1,200 x NORINCO Beiben 2629 6x6 Cargo Trucks


Infantry Weapons

AK-103 Rifle (100,000 bought in 2006)
FN FAL Rifle (now in reserve)
FN FNC Rifle

FN MINIMI (International version M249 SAW)
FN MAG (International version, M240 GPMG)
M60 Machine Gun

Mp-5 SMG
Uzi SMG (also known as Orinoco III under local production)
FN P90 SMG
Glock 17
Browning Hi power
M-14 Marksman Rifle
Remington M700 Sniper Rifle
SVD Sniper Rifle
x RPG-7

Bofors 84mm AT-4 Skip
Bofors 84mm Carl Gustaf M-2 and M-3
106mm M40A1 Recoilless Rifle
IMI MAPATS-2 ATGM
RPG-7V2

300 x ZU-23-2 (Zom 1-4) Towed SP-AA Guns (on order from Russia)?
Panhard AML S.530 (20mm AA Gun)
M35 Fenix (35mm AA Gun)
AMX-13 Rafaga (35mm AA Gun)

RBS-70 (mounted on Tiuna Vehicles)
5,000+ x 9K338 Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch)

Field Artillery, Mobile
24 to 52 units x BM-21 Grad MRLS
12 x BM-30 Smerch MRLS
25 x AMX-13 LAR-160 MRLS (held in reserve)
12 to 20 units x AMX-13/Mle F.3 155mm SPH
48 x 2S19 Msta-S 152mm SPH; equipped with 2K25 Krasnopol guided shells.
13 to 48 units x 2S23 Nona-SVK 120mm SP Mortar

Field Artillery, Towed/Fixed
24 x M114 155mm Howitzer
40 x M101A1 105mm Howitzer
40 x OTO Melara M56 105mm Howitzer
48 to 80 units x 2S12 Sani 120mm Mortar
60 x Thomson Brandt MO-120, 120mm Mortar

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Fabrique Nationale Mauser 98 Clones

In the mid 1930s right up to WW2; Venezula ordered several variants of the Mauser 98 from FN, with an initial order of 16,500 Short Rifles/Carbines in 1934-1935; semi-known variants purchased were:

FN Model 1924
FN Model 1930

All were in the 7x57mm Mauser Chambering.

Fabrique Nationale FN49

4,000 of these were purchased in 1948 and 4,000 more in 1951. This was the first major sale of FN49 rifles ever made; and they were chambered for the 7x57mm Mauser round.

Fabrique Nationale FAL

In 1953, the Venezulan Army wanted 5,000 more FN49's but was told by FN that the FN49 was no longer being manufactured. FN instead offered a new design which was known by several names in different languages:

English: LAR (Light Automatic Rifle)
French: FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger)
Spanish: FAL (Fusil Automatico Liviano)

Venezula wanted the FAL in their 'standard' 7x57mm Mauser chambering, but FN refused to make unique receivers that could chamber the longer mauser; and offered them in:

British .280/30 (aka 7mm FN Short)
American T65A3 (aka 7.62 NATO)

Two prototypes (one in .280 British and one in 7.62 NATO) were sent, and after trials, Venezula and FN negotiated a compromise cartridge.

The compromise was 7x49mm “Second Optimum”. This cartridge was 140 grains at 2,750 fps and was basically a long .280 bullet in a shortened T65A3 case to keep the overall length of the round within that of 7.62 NATO.

On 30 November 1954, Venezula ordered 5,000 rifles in two variants; the 50-00 Automatic Rifle (FAL) and the 50-42 Heavy Barreled Automatic Rifle (FAP -- Fusil Automatico Pesado).

In 1961, a second batch of 50-00 Automatic Rifles (FAL) were ordered in 7.62 NATO, along with a contract to convert all previous Automatic Rifles chambered in 7x49mm to 7.62 NATO.

In 1974, a batch of 10,000 50-63 Para Automatic Rifles with folding stocks were purchased.

Kalashnikov AK-103

In May 2005, the Chavez government completed the purchase of 100,000 AK-103/AK-104 rifles chambered in 7.62x39mm along with 74 million rounds of ammunition.

Later in 2006, a contract was signed for factories in Venezula to produce both the AK-103/104 family of rifles (at 25,000 rifles a year) and 7.62x39mm ammo (at 50 million rounds/year).

The rifle factory may FINALLY actually enter operation some time in 2019. No idea on the ammo factory.

Sources:
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/arm...nezuelan-coup/
(check out the comments too)

http://tass.com/defense/997625

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Candair CF-5 Freedom Fighter

In the late 1960s, Venezula decided to replace the Vampire/Venom force, along with the F-86 Sabre/Sabredog force. They saw an opportunity when 73 of the single-seat CF-5A aircraft procured for the RCAF had to be kept in storage due to the lack of operating funds. Venezula decided to buy 20 of them in 1972; broken down as:

16 x CF-5A (redesignated VF-5A) single seaters, ex RCAF
2 x CF-5D (redesignated VF-5D) two seater trainers, ex RCAF.
2 x CF-116D (redesignated VF-5D) two seater; new build; delivered 1974.

All of the Freedom Fighters were assigned to Grupo de Caza No 12. based at Barquisimeto. Two of the single seat CF-5As were converted into reconnaissance aircraft and designated RVF-5A. They were the first supersonic aircraft in the Venezulan Air Force and carried AIM-9, Mk 82 and M117 bombs in addition to 70mm rockets.

By 1990, seven aircraft had been lost, and in May 1990 fatigue and budget problems forced the entire VF-5 fleet into storage.

However, in late 1990, seven surplus NF-5s were bought from the Netherlands; broken down as:

6 x NF-5B
1 x NF-5A

They arrived in 1993; but the order for them allowed the 13 surviving VF-5As and single VF-5D to be sent off for refurbishment under "Proyecto Grifo" (Project Gryphon); with the contract for that being signed in June 1990. It was due to this ongoing upgrade program that the majority of the VF-5 force missed the 17 November 1992 coup attempt; but three VF-5s were destroyed by a rebel OV-10 Bronco attacking the airbase.

The upgrade program allowed Grupo 12 to operate the type until the early 2010s, with the following operational:

8 x VF-5A
3 x NF-5B
1 x VF-5D

mainly operating as a training group for the F-16 and Mirage fleet. They were replaced by the Hongdu JL-8W (K-8W) from 2010 onwards.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

Dassault Mirage

In the early 1970s, Venezula began to study replacing the F-86K Sabredog, and in 1971, the Dassault Mirage family was chosen, with the following aircraft ordered:

10 x Mirage IIIEV
Single seat fighter-bomber. Five hardpoints (4 wing, 1 ventral). Venezula chose the AIM-9B instead of the Matra 530, and for ground attack missions, two 68mm rocket launchers or 8 x 227 kg bombs could be carried by by the Mirage IIIEV. Survivors upgraded to Mirage 50EV standard.

4 x Mirage 5V
Single seat ground attack aircraft. Seven hardpoints. Survivors upgraded to Mirage 50EV standard.

2 x Mirage 5DV
Two Seat Trainer.

In 1979, studies began to modernize the Mirage; but this was delayed from 1980-1982 by the competition that ultimately selected the F-16 (Mirage 50 and Kfir were losers in that). Once the F-16 program was done, the Mirage modernization program resumed at the end of 1982; with the final agreements reached in January 1985; but due to the collapse of oil prices, this contract was cancelled.

The Caldas Crisis of August 1987 caused a new modernization contract to be signed in June 1989 with Dassault; consisting of:

5 x Mirage IIIEV (modernization)
3 x Mirage 5V (modernization)
2 x Mirage 5DV (modernization)
6 x Mirage 50EV (new build)
1 x Mirage 50DV (new build)
3 x Mirage 5M (ex-Zaire aircraft)

All 20 aircraft would be upgraded to the same common Mirage 50EV / Mirage 50DV standard; with a 20% more powerful engine, inflight refuelling, new ejection seats, and weapons were:

MATRA 2 Infrared AAMs
AM-39 Exocet Antiship missiles
Durandal II/BAP Anti Runway Bombs
Mk 82 Free Fall Bombs
68mm JL-100R rocket launchers

Due to crashes during the conversion program, the actual final operational Mirage 50 fleet ended up at 16, instead of 18 as originally planned. The first Mirage 50EV was delivered 30 November 1990, and the last was delivered in 1992.

By 2008, three Mirage 50EV were withdrawn from service as spares for the others. The remaining aircraft were withdrawn in June 2009 after 35 years of service.

In September 2009, Ecuador inspected the Mirage fleet for transfer to their air force, and a contract was signed. Six Mirage 50s were transferred to Ecuador, with the first 3 arriving there on 29 October 2009.

On 10 December 2009 the official retirement ceremony for the Mirage in the FAV was held, and on 15 December 2009, the other three aircraft in the Ecuador order were transferred.

Source:
https://www.fav-club.com/2014/01/15/...-en-venezuela/

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

P-47D Thunderbolt

Following the Treaty of Rio in September 1947, significant quantities of US warplanes arrived in South America to re-equip South American Air Forces. Venezula received their first six P-47Ds in 1947. A later batch of 22 arrived in 1949. They were prominent in the 1952 incursion by Colombian warships into the Gulf of Venezuela; and they remained in service until fully replaced by the DeHavilland Vampire in 1955.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

T-2D Buckeye Trainer / Light Attack

In February 1972, twelve T-2Cs were ordered by the FAV; they differed from USN ones by having different avonics and no provisions for catapult/arrested landings. They were designated T-2D and the first was received on 28 June 1973.

In 1977, a second batch of 12 x T-2Ds with six hardpoints on the wing for 3,500 lbs of armaments (bombs, 70mm rocket launchers and 12.7mm MG pods) was ordered to act as light attack aircraft. They arrived in a camouflage scheme and replaced the BAC Jet Provost T.Mk52.

The last six T-2Ds were retired in 1999 and their trainer functions were assumed by the twin seat VF-5B in the FAV's inventory until new types could arrive.

Hongdu K-8W Karakorum Light Attack/Advanced Trainers

Eighteen were ordered in 2008 and the first six arrived in January 2010. They replaced the VF-5 Freedom Fighter and OV-10 Bronco in the Venezuelan Air Force; in addition to advanced trainer duties.

A second order of 9 aircraft was made to replace three lost in crashes and increase the fleet to 24 units. The second order was officially delivered beginning in March 2016.

Rockwell OV-10 Bronco

In 1973, Venezula received 16 x OV-10E Broncos; with the first being formally accepted on 1 March 1973. This was followed in 1991 by a purchase of 18 x OV-10A from the USAF.

On 27 November 1992, the Broncos were widely used by mutinous officers who staged an attempted coup d'état against former President Carlos Andrés Pérez. The rebels dropped bombs and launched rockets against police and government buildings in Caracas. Four Broncos were lost during the uprising, including two shot down by a loyalist General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.

At some time, the OV-10A/E fleet was modernized with new four blade props, reducing their sound signature, and installing FLIR and night vision.

Their replacement was originally to be 48 x Embraer EMB-314 A-29 Super Tucanos, but no deal was reached due to embargoes, and instead the decision was made to replace them with the Mi-28 HAVOC; which has yet to happen in 2019.

Mi-28 HAVOC

Supposedly ten aircraft were ordered in April 2010 as replacements for the OV-10 Bronco fleet, but as of 2019, no aircraft have yet to be delivered.

EMB-312V Tucano

Venezula ordered 32 x EMB-312 Tucanos, broken into two variants:

20 x T-27 for Training
12 x AT-27 for tactical support

The first four were delivered on 14 July 1986. On 27 November 1992, the aircraft were used by mutineering officers who staged a coup d'état against former President Carlos Andrés Pérez. The rebels dropped bombs and launched rockets against police and government buildings in Caracas. One EMB-312 was shot down during the uprising by F-16s flown by loyalist pilots.

Re: My case for can Venezuela get in before 2020?
 

42nd Airborne Brigade
42 Brigada de Infantería Paracaidista

The Venezulan Airborne forces trace their lineage to Mechanic 3d Class Manuel Murillo, who executed the first parachute jump (of free will) in Venezula on 2 January 1937.

After World War II, a group of men were sent to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA; where they received Jump Wings on 16 November 1948.

Returning to Venezula, they created the first parachute tactical unit in the country (under the command of the Venezulan Air Force) and executed the first massed parachute jump in the country on 10 December 1949, when three C-47s were used to jump 7 officers and 35 men.

In 1952, the Parachute Detachment Aragua (Destacamento de Paracaidistas Aragua) was created, also belonging to the FAV.

In 1977, the Aragua Parachute Regiment (regimiento de Paracaidistas Aragua) was transferred over to the Army, and in 1989, it became the 42nd Airborne Brigade.

The red berets of the Paratroopers have become synonymous in the last 20 years with the current regime that rules Venezula, because Hugo Chavez was a paratrooper.

Cazadores / Caribes

First "SOF" unit in Venezulan Army. Created 1963 to fight against Castro-backed guerillas and were so successful that in the time period 1963-1967, 13 battalions were created.

Mainly light infantry forces; with most officers and NCOs trained by US Army Rangers and Special Forces.