China Delivers K-8 Attack Jets to Venezuela

Venezuela has taken delivery of six Hongdu Aviation Industry-built K-8 Karakorum training and light attack jet from China. The aircraft, which will supplement the 24 Sukhoi Su-30MK jet fighters received from Russia in 2008, were flight tested on Saturday at an air base in the city of Barquisimeto. President Hugo Chávez ordered 18 K-8s in 2008 after a contract to purchase as many as 24 Embraer Super Tucano aircraft from Brazil was blocked by the US government. Over the weekend, Mr. Chávez said that he intends to buy up to 40 K-8s. The Venezuelan Air Force operates a fleet of aging F-5 and F-16 jets. The US has prohibited the sale of replacement parts for the aircraft in retaliation for what it views as the Chávez government's lack of cooperation in efforts to combat illegal drug smuggling.

In a deal valued at US$234, the government of Colombia acquired 25 AT-29B Super Tucanos from Embraer during 2006-2008. Mr. Chávez reportedly views the Colombian government's Tucano procurement, along with its agreement in October 2009 to allow US soldiers to be stationed at seven military bases in Colombia, as provocative.

There is speculation that Mr.Chávez's strong political and financial support for former president Manuel Zelaya in Honduras has been premised, at least in part, on a perceived threat from the US, which maintains an air base and a detachment of about 500 soldiers and pilots at Soto Cano near Comayagua. The base can accommodate refueling and resupply of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft bound for Colombia. Mr. Chávez repeatedly advised Mr. Zelaya to evict US military personnel from Honduras in the same way as the Ecuadoran government evicted the US military from its Manta Air Base last year. (3/15/10) (photo of Hugo Chávez courtesy Washington Post)