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
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Venezula's Military is formally called the "Bolivarian National Armed Forces" (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana / FANB); and consists of the following:
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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
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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
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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.
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?? 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.
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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)
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Guardia Nacional Bolivariana (GNB) / Bolivarian National Guard
TBD
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Milicia Nacional Bolivariana (MNB) / Bolivarian National Milita
TBD
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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
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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
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