VN1 for Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has confirmed publicly that he intends to sign a contract with China worth $ 0.5 billion for the supply of a floating armored equipment for Marine Corps units.

Vehicles will go to the Infanterie de Marina de la Armada de Venezuela, which is part of the Bolivarian Navy (Armada de Venezuela Bolivarian). It is estimated Venezuelan marines has about 20 thousand. soldiers, grouped in 9 brigades.

The Chinese side, the national consortium of arms Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) has sygnowało relevant documents. Now we already know that Venezuela will sign it also. According to sources from Caracas, the contract is a highly promotional and armored vehicles, has opened a wide path of the Middle Kingdom in Latin American continent. Indeed, the Chinese government as a whole skredytuje production, delivery, training of crews, and service program. In return, Venezuela will pay its debts in oil supplies.

Chavez wants to purchase a complete armored amphibious equipment (including carts communications, command and artillery support) for at least some marine infantry brigades. Chinese equipment will replace the currently used vehicles in the brigade support battalions, the U.S. armored tracked amphibious cars LVTP-7 and wheel Engensa Brazilian EE-11 Urutu.

Particularly the need to replace the former no doubt. Even the U.S. Marines was forced to the next phase of modernization LVTP-7. The development program of his successor - created from the time of Ronald Reagan's armor, assault wagon desantowego Marines, flowing at 30 century, the EFV - finally been cleared. Claimed over $ 3 billion without producing the expected results.

Still do not know exactly what Chavez armored vehicles bought from the Chinese. American press has speculated, however, that are supposed to be flying BWP: ZBD-97 or later IDB-2000 and wheeled conveyances WMZ551A 6x6, or 8x8 VN1.

Relatively more modern IDB-2000. The Chinese, due to preparing for years for the landing operation against Taiwan, and become one of the leaders in the construction of armored vehicles flying

If the transaction is complete the supply, it will be the first successful attempt to enter the Chinese market armored Latin America. It should be noted that Peru has chosen Chinese tanks MBT-2000, which competed in 2008-2010 our PT-91EX (formerly PT-91P). We pierced the huge Chinese capital, which offered Lima. The transaction did not happen, because Peruvians agreed that in the face of a flood, they need above all helicopters.

There are also unofficial information that President Hugo Chavez in China is also going to order a landing craft. The hardware for the Infanterie de Marina reportedly discussed initially with Russia, but the Chinese offer had to be much cheaper.

It is certain, however, that Caracas plans to have the PRC renovation and modernization of Italian-type frigates Lupo (local designation of Mariscal Sucre. Venezuela has ordered the 1970 in Italy, Cantieri Navali Riuniti (CNR), with a displacement of six frigates from 2208 to 2600 t and 112 m length of hull . They are: Mariscal Sucre , Almirante Brion , General Urdaneta , General Soublette , General Salom and  Almirante Garcia . entered service in 1980-1982. Some of them managed to pass overhaul in the U.S. 

After deterioration of relations with Washington and the introduction of sanctions by the U.S. military was forced to return Caracas in 2004, three younger individuals to state naval shipyard in Puerto Cabello DIANCA. Due to the isolation of Venezuela, the lack of spare parts and organizational chaos, and has failed to even start working on these ships. If the agreement with Beijing is signed, the program will carry out the Chinese, outfitted with the latest frigate command and combat available National Middle Kingdom.