Citing concerns about an emerging threat to his country, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday he will develop a missile defense capability, according to the Associated Press. However, as the AP points out, given the United States' struggles to develop an impenetrable missile defense despite billions of dollars in investment, Chavez' plans are not expected to include anything approaching an advanced missile shield.
Chavez said his country will develop short-range missiles to defend Venezuelan airspace from foreign attack and is interested in technology from Russia, Belarus and Iran. He wants missiles with a range of 200 kilometers (124 miles). Chavez also said his government had test fired missiles on Thursday but didn't specify what kind they were. Short-range missiles aren't the only things on Chavez' wish list. The AP reported that Chavez announced plans to spend $564 million building factories to manufacture "automatic AK-103 assault rifles, munitions, and detonators; a facility to train pilots to fly Russian Mi-17, Mi-26 and Mi-35 helicopters, and another facility to overhaul F-5 fighter jets." Here's more:
Mr. Chavez denied Venezuela was engaged in an arms buildup or posed a threat to regional stability as Washington has suggested, saying Venezuela was simply modernizing its military after years of neglect. "They are necessary investments. We're not going to attack anybody," he said at the speech at a military academy in Caracas.
--Catherine MacRae Hockmuth
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