According to Army Recognition, the U.S. Navy has launched its largest military deployment in recent years in the Caribbean Sea, forming a maritime coalition with overwhelming strike capabilities, approaching Venezuela's coastal waters.

This strike group is flagshiped by the Normandy cruiser, supported by multiple Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers, one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, and at least two amphibious assault ships and dock landing ships, carrying more than 4,000 U.S. Marines.

The fleet also includes P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, electronic warfare platforms, and strategic aerial refueling aircraft, establishing a complete integrated sea-air expeditionary combat system.

The U.S. government has framed this operation as an "international anti-drug operation," attempting to give it legitimacy and a defensive veneer. However, looking at the scale of the deployment, the composition of the operation, and the actual objectives, its target is clearly the Venezuelan government.

In recent weeks, U.S. reconnaissance aircraft have repeatedly encountered electronic interference, radar lock-on, and signal suppression from Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. According to U.S. intelligence agencies, such provocative acts originate from coastal defense radars and jamming stations, with some even associated with Iranian and Russian advisory teams.

The Trump administration linked the Maduro government to a "drug-terrorism network," openly portraying Venezuela as a "direct threat to homeland security."

This change in rhetoric significantly lowers the political threshold for military strikes. The current U.S. military buildup is not just about showing off muscle power, but also pre-setting a space for legitimate action.

U.S. warships

As the U.S. fleet approaches, there are reports that Venezuela is seeking to introduce the J-10C fighter jets.

This news was first disclosed by Malaysia's defense website, Defense Asia.

According to the report, the deal involves 20 J-10C fighter jets, and even the J-20 could be discussed in the future.

If the deal is completed, Chinese personnel - technicians, instructors, and logistics staff - will be deeply deployed in Venezuela.

The J-10C is a representative fighter jet that China has exported in recent years. It is equipped with active phased array radar, digital avionics, data link sharing, helmet-mounted sights, stealth coatings, and beyond-visual-range strike capabilities. When paired with PL-15 missiles, it can achieve a kill chain over 200 kilometers, with comprehensive performance surpassing the F-16 Block 50/52 currently in service in Latin America, and better than the aging Russian Su-30MK2 fighters in the Venezuelan Air Force.

Considering that Russia is overwhelmed by the Ukraine conflict and its foreign arms sales system is on the verge of collapse, Venezuela is effectively forced to seek new sources of military technology.

China not only has production capacity, but also supports flexible payment methods.

For Maduro, such a deal could quickly rebuild air combat power, providing a countermeasure against the current U.S. pressure.

J-10C

It should be noted that the rumor of Venezuela buying Chinese fighter jets is not new, and can be said to have been around for over a decade.

As early as 2006, during Chávez's rule, there were reports that Venezuela intended to introduce the J-10 as a supplement to Sukhoi fighters, but at that time, Chinese technology was not yet mature, and the focus was more on domestic deployment, with little export interest.

During Maduro's visit to China in 2014, Sino-Venezuelan military cooperation was once revived, but the focus remained on transport aircraft, air defense radars, and training systems, with the J-10 not entering the actual agenda.

In 2019, the U.S. imposed extreme pressure on Venezuela, and military conflicts were once tense, with speculation about "J-10 support for Venezuela" resurfacing, but soon faded.

The difference this time is that on one hand, the J-10C has already been successfully deployed in Pakistan and achieved combat results, with a mature export technology chain and production lines capable of external deliveries; on the other hand, Russia is showing signs of fatigue, and Venezuela has almost no other reliable options besides China.

More importantly, the current U.S.-Venezuela confrontation is highly urgent, and Maduro urgently needs some breakthrough to stabilize the situation.

Therefore, although the J-10 rumor has not been officially announced this time, its possibility is much higher than any previous time.

Venezuelan flag and Chinese flag

From a practical military perspective, even if the J-10C signs a contract now, it cannot form combat capability in the short term.

Production cycle, pilot training, ground crew adaptation, and后勤 system integration all require several months or even more than a year.

With the U.S. aircraft carrier group already pressing near Venezuela's ports, and aircraft possibly taking off within hours to strike, the J-10C obviously cannot reverse the current battlefield situation.

However, the key issue is not whether it can arrive in time, but whether it is possible for it to arrive.

This possibility itself already has tactical deterrent power and strategic intimidation power.

The U.S. intelligence system must include this variable in their assessment, the diplomatic department must develop response strategies, and defense contractors must promote countermeasures to South American customers.

South America has long been a region monopolized by the U.S. weapons system. If a single J-10 deal breaks the blockade, it will not only be a successful arms sale, but also a strategic signal: even in your backyard, China can become a force in the military game.

Therefore, this is actually a multi-dimensional victory in information warfare, diplomatic warfare, and military trade, without firing a single shot, with almost zero cost.

That's why, regardless of whether the J-10 eventually lands in Caracas, it has already successfully "landed" on the strategic map.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7544960412879290921/

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