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Venezuela jet deal

China has offered to sell jet trainers to Venezuela in what U.S. officials say is further evidence of Beijing's efforts to sell weapons and expand its influence among the militaries of Latin America.

According to defense officials, the Chinese trainers were offered to Venezuela during a visit to the country by Chinese military officials. A defense official said the offer was made a few years ago "but we never saw any transaction take place."

Richard Fisher, a specialist on the Chinese military with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, said the offer likely was for China's K-8, which is less complex than the supersonic L-15 trainer.

"The K-8 is a simple low-tech initial trainer powered by a Ukrainian turbofan, though in the past a U.S. Garrett turbofan engine has been used in this trainer," Mr. Fisher said.

Selling the Venezuelans trainers instead of actual fighters would be in line with China's low-key approach to expanding its influence with the leftist government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"It is less provocative than jet fighters, but does create relationships that may allow the later sale of combat aircraft," Mr. Fisher said.

If China were to sell Venezuela the more advanced L-15, that might signal the Chavez regime's interest in later sales of ground-attack jets or a future unmanned combat aircraft China is thought to be developing, he said.

Venezuela currently has Russian-made Su-30s and is reported to be in the market for advanced Su-35s. It also is looking to purchase French submarines as part of a large-scale military buildup that has raised concerns in the Pentagon.

The general in charge of military activities in the region, Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, told Congress last year that China was stepping up military training in Latin America, because of a U.S. law limiting support to regional militaries. Gen. Craddock told the Senate Armed Services Committee that China "has made many offers, and now we are seeing those who formerly would come to the United States going to China."

Mr. Chavez said in October that Venezuela is transforming its armed forces away from the U.S. military model toward preparing to fight "asymmetric wars and wars of resistance." China, too, is restructuring its military for asymmetric warfare, specifically computer and anti-satellite weapons for use against the United States.

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Autoriza Chávez compra de aviones de combate a China

"Los aviones K-8 chinos vamos a comprarlos. Ya he autorizado que se inicie la negociación", dijo el mandatario durante su programa semanal "Aló, presidente".

Reuters
Publicado: 11/05/2008 16:43

Caracas. El presidente venezolano, Hugo Chávez, dijo el domingo que autorizó que su Gobierno inicie negociaciones para la compra de aviones de entrenamiento chinos K-8 y afirmó que visitaría el país asiático "pronto".

Venezuela ha comprado equipamiento militar en Rusia, luego de que Estados Unidos prohibió la venta de equipo y componentes con su tecnología al gobierno de Chávez, en medio de la permanente guerra verbal que mantienen ambos países.

"Los aviones K-8 chinos vamos a comprarlos. Ya he autorizado que se inicie la negociación", dijo el mandatario durante su programa semanal de radio y televisión Aló, presidente, sin dar una cifra.

Precisó que las negociaciones se realizarían "de gobierno a gobierno" y anunció que visitaría China y Rusia "pronto", sin precisar la fecha.

Se había especulado que Hugo Chávez compraría equipamiento militar nuevo en una visita a Rusia, incluyendo submarinos y aviones.

El mandatario venezolano aseguró que renovaría el arsenal blindado del país, en el marco de la inversión para la defensa, y restó importancia a las críticas.

"Seguimos trabajando el tema del equipamiento militar aunque a mí me acusan de armamentismo. No es armamentismo, es el gasto militar necesario para la defensa del país", agregó.

Beneficiado de los precios récord del petróleo, Venezuela es el cuarto mayor comprador de armas de Rusia -luego de China, la India y Argelia- con tratos por más de tres mil millones de dólares.

Entre las armas adquiridas se encuentran 100 mil fusiles Kalashnikov AK-103 y 28 aviones Sukhoi, que serán provistos de misiles, según explicó Chávez.

Venezuela también ha logrado acuerdos con China en diversas materias, incluyendo la compra de un satélite para uso pacífico.

Mientras la Casa Blanca acusa a Hugo Chávez de desestabilizar la región y de estar vinculado con países del "eje del mal", como Irán y Siria, el presidente dice que el estilo de vida los estadunidenses podría terminar con la vida en la Tierra.

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It authorizes Chávez battle airplanes purchase to China

"The airplanes K-8 Chinese we are going to buy them. Already I have authorized that the negotiation be initiated", the proxy during its weekly program said "Hello, president".

It published: 11/05/2008 16:43

Caracas. The Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez, said Sunday that authorized that its Government initiate negotiations for the Chinese training airplanes purchase K-8 and affirmed that would visit the Asian country "quick".

Venezuela has bought military equipment in Russia, after United States prohibited the sale of team and components with their technology to the government of Chávez, in the middle of the permanent verbal war that maintain both countries.

"The airplanes K-8 Chinese we are going to buy them. Already I have authorized that the negotiation be initiated", the proxy during its weekly program of radio said and television Hello, president, without giving a figure.

It needed that the negotiations would be carried out "of government to government" and announced that would visit China and Russia "quick", without needing the date.

It had speculated that Hugo Chávez would buy new military equipment in a visit to Russia, including submarines and airplanes.

The Venezuelan proxy assured that he would renew the armored arsenal of the country, in the framework of the investment for the defense, and reduced importance to the criticisms.

"We continue working the theme of the military equipment although they accuse me me to of arms build-up. It is not arms build-up, is the necessary military expense for the defense of the country", added.

It benefited of the prices record of the petroleum, Venezuela is the room greater buyer of weapons of Russia -after China, the India and Algeria- with deals for more than three thousand million dollars.

Among the weapons acquired 100 thousand rifles are found Kalashnikov AK-103 and 28 airplanes Sukhoi, that will be provided of missiles, as explained Chávez.

Venezuela has also achieved agreements with China in diverse matters, including the purchase of a satellite for peaceful use.

While the White House accuses Hugo Chávez to destabilize the region and to be linked with countries of the "axis of evil", like Iran and Syrian, the president says that the way of life the American would be able to finish with the life in the Land.

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CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday the OPEC nation will buy Chinese military training planes, expanding recent arms purchases and further cementing a growing relationship with China.

Chavez in recent years has stepped up purchases of weapons and planes. Washington accuses the self-styled revolutionary of carrying out an arms spending spree that could destabilize the region.

Venezuela and China on Friday signed an accord to build a refinery on Chinese soil as part of a broader plan to reduce Venezuela's reliance on U.S. energy markets.

"We're going to buy Chinese K-8 planes," Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast, calling them "excellent planes for the boys."

"We continue working on the issue of military equipment, even though they accuse me of launching an arms race," he said. "I'm not launching an arms race. Military expenditures are necessary for the country's defense."

Venezuela has also bought 24 Sukhoi fighter jets and 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles from Russia.

Top White House officials have questioned the arms purchases given there have been few military conflicts in the region.

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By Lebo Nkatazo
Last updated: 05/10/2008 15:30:51
ZIMBABWE will splash US$240 million on 12 K-8 jet trainer aircraft from China, parliament heard Tuesday.

Six of the 12 aircraft are already in the country, with the remainder set to be delivered in two months, defence officials said.

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tphuang said:

according to this link,

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they are buying 24 K-8s

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Venezuela

* Venezuelan Air Force - 18, A contract of 18 K-8 A/C has been signed in the third week of August, 2008 in Caracas of Venezula.

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