Venezuela to Buy Anti-Aircraft Missiles (AP)

[Eugene]

Venezuela to Buy Anti-Aircraft Missiles
Venezuela plans to buy anti-aircraft missiles to guard strategic sites

CARACAS, Venezuela, Jan. 30, 2007
By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER Associated Press Writer


(AP) Venezuela plans to obtain air defense missiles to guard strategic sites such
as oil refineries and major bridges against any air strike, a top military adviser
to President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday.

Gen. Alberto Muller said Venezuela is looking to buy surface-to-air missile systems
from Russia or another country to defend "strategic points in the country."

"They are for air defense," Muller told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
"They are not for attacking anybody."

-snip-

Russia's Interfax-Military News Agency reported Tuesday that between 10 and 12
Tor-M1 missile systems could be supplied to the South American country.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/30/ap/world/mainD8MVTDU00.shtml

(Kommersant)

Jan. 29, 2007

Venezuela to Buy Russia’s Tor-M1

Venezuela is willing to buy from Russia Tor-M1 air defense missiles, the
local media reported. The deal budget is estimated at roughly $290 million.

In Venezuela, Tor-M1 missiles could be used together with the radars of Chinese
make and 24 combat aircraft acquired in Russia.

Tor-M1s are the air defense missiles of fifth generation capable of opposing both
the planes and the cruise missiles. It is yet the sole system in the world that will
simultaneously spot and identify up to 48 targets. In one go, it can accompany and
fire at two targets flying at the altitude of 20 to 6,000 meters.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.kommersant.com/p-9970/Tor-M1_buy

[joemurphy]

1. Logical. Can't say I blame them. n/t

[muntrv]

2. Just defending themselves from Bush.