Chinese warplanes arrive in Venezuela

CARACAS, March 13, 2010 (AFP) - Venezuela's Air Force received Saturday the first six of an order for 18 K-8 Karakorum trainer or light attack planes from China, along with control systems to maintain the aircraft.

"Because we are going to transform Venezuela into an economic, social, moral and technological power, we require the ability to defend (ourselves)," President Hugo Chavez said in a ceremony as he praised his country's friendship with "socialist and revolutionary China."

The Venezuelan and the Chinese governments negotiated the acquisition in late 2008 as part of Caracas' move to modernize and replace its aging fleet, which is largely based on US technology.

The K-8s are two-seater aircraft that can reach 12,190 meters (40,000 feet) and be equipped with machine guns and light bombs. They were jointly developed by China and Pakistan to support ground operations.

General Jorge Arevalo said last year that China would make three deliveries of the warplanes in 2010, starting with this first installment of six units.

Russia, China and Belarus are Venezuela's main military suppliers.

Last year, Caracas said it had obtained a 2.2-billion-dollar credit from Russia to purchase nearly 100 T-72 tanks and a series of anti-aircraft rocket systems from its strategic ally.



(c) 2010 AFP