Two more Sukhoi-30s arriving in Venezuela
Venezuelan Aviation Commander Brigadier General Luis José Berroterán Acosta said two more Sukhoi-30 warplanes purchased from Russia are arriving in Venezuela this month, for a total of 14 units.

link
http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/...A1070157.shtml

Thanks for the post!

This is not good....

Time for Columbia to take action?

Remember a few months ago in a different thread I asked if the US would come to Colombia's aide if some sort of a war broke out between Colombia and Venezuela? Even if the US gave or sold low cost off set priced F-16s to Colombia they would still be behind Venezuela's air force. I'm not sure of the level of US involvement in Colombia's oil and natural gas but I do know they have an oil industry in general. Most of the wells are located in eastern Colombia too I'm sure about their pipeline structure and storage tanks etc. I guess that kind of stuff could be looked up. Colombia's AF has less then 14 Kfir 's , I think the C-3 version and not the C-7 version but I could be wrong on that. Either way both types are ill matched against Su-30 modern Flankers in fact Venezuela's aging Viper could turn inside a Kfir and in most cases be able to handle them if push came to shove. Tonight I'll hunt around but either Colombia or Ecuador's Kfir's have the EL-2030 radar in it and has Python III, and or IVs IR missiles and maybe even Derby's radar guided missiles. I thought one other country in that region besides Chile had them but I'm going out now and check on it later.
Chavez if I'm mistaking is friendly with Ecuador's new left wing government so Colombia down the road could have possible enemies on two of it's borders. Even Brazil's Mirage 2000-Cs not 5 types are badly out classed as well, seem like a mistake not buying the MICA equipped types. Brazil's AF has the numbers, better trained forces, and AWACS support on their side currently. I feel two or three years down the road this will change and Brazil's AF will have to commit to a true 4th generation fighter in numbers. Brazil and France have a history maybe this would be a good time for France to really push a late model Rafale.

If Colombia were to get US fighters wouldn't F-15A be a better fit then Vipers? I have no idea how many A model Eagles would be available or if C models could be had. It just seems that Eagles match up better against Flankers but maintenance wise Vipers are much less costly to operate. I guess it's a moot point not many countries buy Eagles to begin with and no talk at all about selling fast movers to Colombia. I agree with Fox, Columbia needs to take action Venezuela will place a follow up order soon. I feel that around 2010, 2011, Venezuela's AF will have that second squadron of Flankers. Besides the US coming down to help or deploying fighters to a South American country nobody in that region can match that. It's just a feeling I have but I think there's a chance an Venezuela-Chinese aircraft deal might happen. Something to create a hi/lo mixed of aircraft maybe high end Flankers with lo-end J-10s, both use AL-31 engines?

A general question if Iran's President and Chavez wanted to provide funding for semi modern fighters to Bolivia's could such an arms deal be blocked? Wouldn't the aircraft have to cross somebody's border to get their? Could China lease big Russian transports and flying in J-7, JF-17, or even J-10s into Bolivia? Or do governments don't have that right to stop such flights sorry for the basic question.

Rock45

I think you should read more of Robert D. Kaplan's works to understand how Colombia is dealing with its enemies, foreign and domestic. It's a delicate balance.

However, I heard on Fox News yesterday that Iran (dont know how) will provide spare parts for Venezuela's aging US made aircrafts.

Hi phoenix80 I never read anything from D. Kaplan's but I think I heard of him. Didn't he write a report about on the sunny land down under is in danger of Chinese attack and/or how the Super Hornets are a waste? The little I read or saw in other forums about him or his writings is that real military personnel don't take to him and find some of his idea a little out there. I tend to follow what the real military personnel think since they do it for real. If you think it's worth it for me to check out send me some of his work I'll look it over. Can't hurt to look at what he said right. The Aussies have a good forum I checked it out in the past a lot of useful information. The forum is the last one listed but it didn't work at my job firewall blocking it.

These are some Aussies news papers I find stuff sometimes
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...277050456.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...37-601,00.html
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/N...CurrentId=6835
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker.html

So who says the world is a boring place?
All we need now is a bunch of T-72s rolling down Broadway to scare the crap out of the Wall Street types who think this sort of stuff doesn't apply to them.

Originally Posted by rock45

Hi phoenix80 I never read anything from D. Kaplan's but I think I heard of him. Didn't he write a report about on the sunny land down under is in danger of Chinese attack and/or how the Super Hornets are a waste? The little I read or saw in other forums about him or his writings is that real military personnel don't take to him and find some of his idea a little out there. I tend to follow what the real military personnel think since they do it for real. If you think it's worth it for me to check out send me some of his work I'll look it over. Can't hurt to look at what he said right. The Aussies have a good forum I checked it out in the past a lot of useful information. The forum is the last one listed but it didn't work at my job firewall blocking it.

These are some Aussies news papers I find stuff sometimes
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...277050456.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...37-601,00.html
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/N...CurrentId=6835
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker.html

Well, Dr. Kaplan doesnt write from his basement. He embeds with the troops around the world and tells their stories. He is an extra-ordinary author and journalist.

phoenix80

Dr. Kaplan doesn't write from his basement

I never said he writes from his basement send me some info or post some of his writings let me check him out.

the_13th_redneck - So who says the world is a boring place?
All we need now is a bunch of T-72s rolling down Broadway to scare the crap out of the Wall Street types who think this sort of stuff doesn't apply to them.

I don't understand what you mean? Am I missing something? Can you give a little more detail on what you mean 'this sort of stuff doesn't apply to them' who's them? Do you think I'm a Wall street type?

T-72s are a little dated too don't you mean T-90 or type-98/99's?