Venezuelan Army Equipped With Russian S-300 Air Defense Systems for Long Time - Think Tank
Venezuelan Armed Forces have been equipped with Russian-made S-300 air defense systems for a long time and there is nothing new in that, Russia's Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) head Igor Korotchenko told Sputnik on Monday
On Sunday, media reported that a Russian military delegation had arrived in Caracas and, according to a Sputnik source, was planning to discuss defense industry issues with Venezuelan counterparts. After the arrival of Russian Defense Ministry officials in Caracas, media released photographs depicting Russian S-300 systems deployed in the country and claimed that Venezuela had just installed complexes on its territory.
"The Antey-2500 systems, which are an exports modification of the S-300VM systems, were delivered to Venezuela in previous years and have been many times demonstrated by this country during military parades. There is no sensation here," Korotchenko noted.
He pointed out that such systems had significant capabilities on intercepting both warplanes and tactical missiles, adding that they would be a serious obstacle for any potential enemy of Venezuela.
"Any potential aggressor will face a long-range system that is designed for protecting troops and military facilities. That is one of the best air defense missile systems in the global market today," Korotchenko added.
Earlier on Monday, a military and diplomatic source told Sputnik that Moscow and Caracas had not signed any contracts for the supply of S-300 air defense missile systems to Venezuela recently, adding that existing systems had been deployed to the country in 2013.
Venezuela has been suffering from a severe political crisis for around two months, after the leader of the country's opposition, Juan Guaido, illegally proclaimed himself interim president, contesting the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last year.
The self-proclaimed interim president immediately received support on the part of the United States, which has also denounced Maduro's re-election, along with a number of other countries. China, Cuba, Russia and a number of other countries have endorsed Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president.