Reference News Network, October 29 report: The U.S. "National Interest" bi-monthly website published an article on October 27 with the title "Venezuela's Plan to Protect Its Airspace," authored by Harrison Cass. The full translation is as follows:

Venezuela's air defense system is relatively strong in Latin America. Of course, the overall level of Latin American countries still lags behind that of the United States, but for the Trump administration, which often dispatches strategic bombers close to Venezuela's airspace, Caracas' ability to deny access at least deserves attention.

Venezuela's air defense system was mainly established during the Chávez era, when Venezuela spent a large amount of money to import Russian equipment. The system aims to achieve deterrence through its ability to deny access. It combines long-range missile coverage, radar networking, and heavy interceptors, making it dangerous for any intruder - even the United States - to fly over Caracas or Maracay.

The most important equipment in Venezuela's air defense system is the Russian S-300VM long-range high-altitude air defense missile system. Each S-300VM can track 200 targets simultaneously, with an interception range of about 250 kilometers for aircraft or ballistic missiles. More troublesome for intruders is that the S-300VM can be mobile, with radars and launchers mounted on tracked vehicles.

Venezuela uses the S-300VM to form an outer layer of air defense, focusing on protecting the capital, air bases, and the industrial corridor that runs through the coastal states of Aragua and Carabobo. In short, the S-300VM gives Venezuela a rare capability to deny access in Latin America - which also explains why recent U.S. bomber flights have only dared to fly along the edge, without ever entering Venezuelan airspace.

Complementing the S-300VM is the similarly Russian-made "Buk"-M2E medium-range air defense system, with a range of about 45 kilometers, also using tracked mobile vehicles, designed to defend against low-flying cruise missiles, drones, or tactical aircraft that may penetrate from the radar blind spots of the S-300. Although the "Buk"-M2E is not as capable as the S-300VM, it provides Venezuela with additional layers of air defense and operational flexibility.

If both the S-300VM and the "Buk"-M2E fail to intercept, Caracas also has the "Berkut"-2M system with a range of 35 kilometers and a large number of "S-300" portable air defense missile systems.

From advanced long-range air defense missiles to low-cost portable missiles, these integrated systems together form a "layered" air defense concept, covering long-range strategic denial, medium-range regional air defense, and short-range point defense.

Theoretically, these air defense systems are advanced equipment capable of detecting and tracking invading targets. However, in reality, due to factors such as sanctions and shortages of spare parts, the reliability and response speed of the systems may be significantly reduced.

Venezuela's denial system also includes fighter forces. Notably, there are about 24 Russian Su-30MK2 fourth-generation fighters, whose performance is roughly comparable to the U.S. F-16, making Caracas stand out in Latin America, where most countries are equipped with American or European aircraft.

Venezuela also has some old F-16A/B aircraft, but due to the U.S. blockade on parts and software upgrades, most are no longer repairable. Even so, the Su-30MK2 is sufficient to provide a reliable deterrent against small-scale invasions.

Venezuela has already created an air defense belt, and any reckless penetration of its airspace will come at a high cost. If the U.S. military really wants to enter Venezuelan airspace, it will almost certainly have to first carry out a complete set of "suppression of enemy air defenses" operations. The deterrent effect of this air defense system raises the political and operational threshold for external military intervention.

Nevertheless, the fundamental situation may not change: the U.S. military, with its overall strength, can gradually weaken and make the Venezuelan air defense system ineffective, but the U.S. will face significant resistance and high costs initially. (Translated by Guo Jun)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566553154569912874/

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