Article

2006-05-16 Caribbean-Latin America

Venezuela Weighs Selling U.S. Jets to Iran

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Posted by TMH 2006-05-16 13:28|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The jets would have to be sent on a SHIP wouldnt they? Ships sometimes sink.

Posted by Ebbavising Anganter2423 2006-05-16 14:18|| 2006-05-16 14:18|| Front Page Top

#2 Go ahead. Without parts, they won't be good for very long and they will take their place next to the F-14s that Iran has, rusting in the desert.
Oh, and go ahead and by the Russian and Chinese pieces of crap. They are easier to shoot down anyway.

Posted by DarthVader 2006-05-16 14:22|| 2006-05-16 14:22|| Front Page Top

#3 Could Iran use the Venezuelan jets for the spare parts they need for theirs?

Posted by TMH 2006-05-16 14:34|| 2006-05-16 14:34|| Front Page Top

#4 For a while.

Posted by Rob Crawford">Rob Crawford 2006-05-16 14:47|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2006-05-16 14:47|| Front Page Top

#5 Was there a "no onsale" agreement when Venezuela bought them?

Posted by Grunter 2006-05-16 15:00|| 2006-05-16 15:00|| Front Page Top

#6 Iran has no F-16s.

Posted by Thresing Uleregum2529 2006-05-16 15:05|| 2006-05-16 15:05|| Front Page Top

#7 better to destroy them on the ground in Venezuela to humiliate the little jefe. Cruise missile attack? Seals?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-05-16 15:07|| 2006-05-16 15:07|| Front Page Top

#8 F-16s are maintenance intensive airplanes. Many of the countries that bought them have trouble keeping them flying even with US logistics support. Since Venezuela is unlikely to be able to get spares and tech support from the US with Chavez in charge, they are just scrap iron to Venezuela. He might as well sell them to someone else who can't get parts either. This is just another childish attention-grabbing stunt from someone who has been punching above his weight for a long time.

Posted by RWV 2006-05-16 15:26|| 2006-05-16 15:26|| Front Page Top

#9 Being a fly by wire jet, the computer will be the long pole in the logistics tent. also they have problem flying in thunderstorms. I had about 13 or 14 divert to PAX RIVER from Andrews AFB back in ~92 due to Thunderbumpers in the area. A bit of radiation from a Prowler or JSTARS might be fun to watch.....

Posted by USN, ret. 2006-05-16 15:41|| 2006-05-16 15:41|| Front Page Top

#10 He also has said he may look into buying fighter jets from Russia or China instead.

Like Mr. Chavez was going to be buying anything American anyway.

Posted by DoDo 2006-05-16 15:51|| 2006-05-16 15:51|| Front Page Top

#11 Like Mr. Chavez was going to be buying anything American anyway

Ima thinking a good can of American Whoopass© might be purchased by teh tinpot someday

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-05-16 16:21|| 2006-05-16 16:21|| Front Page Top

#12 BFD.

Go ahead and sell them to Iran, you moron. They're useless as is and hardly represent a threat in the hands of Ahmadinejad (sp?).

Chavez is such a joke. Too bad he's starting to lose his funny by virture of sheer stupidity.

Posted by eltoroverde 2006-05-16 16:23|| 2006-05-16 16:23|| Front Page Top

#13 We have was of preventing transfers Hugo hasn't even started to imagine. All those whom might purchase them have however. These planes are destined to rot where they sit.

Posted by SPoD 2006-05-16 16:43|| http://sockpuppetofdoom.blogspot.com/]">[http://sockpuppetofdoom.blogspot.com/] 2006-05-16 16:43|| Front Page Top

#14 Don't we deliberately "detune" armaments sold to foreign countries so that, for instance, an F-16 sold to Venezuela isn't quite as good as an F-16 you'd find at your friendly neighborhood Air Force base?

Posted by Mike 2006-05-16 17:25|| 2006-05-16 17:25|| Front Page Top

#15 De-fanging the only local force that might take a crack at his ass. Airforces are notorious coupe starters.

Posted by 6 2006-05-16 17:36|| 2006-05-16 17:36|| Front Page Top

#16 IIRC, when he was deposed in the attempted coup, the personnel at the F-16 base backed him, applying strong pressure for his return.

Wonder how they feel now?

He can afford new toys for them though.. like the Sukhoi-30 MK.

Pakistan will probably be quite interested in these planes, if only to cannabalise for spares.

Posted by john 2006-05-16 17:41|| 2006-05-16 17:41|| Front Page Top

#17 Don't we deliberately "detune" armaments sold to foreign countries so that, for instance, an F-16 sold to Venezuela isn't quite as good as an F-16 you'd find at your friendly neighborhood Air Force base?

Both the US and Russia export equipment that is less capable then the versions in their arsenals.

Posted by john 2006-05-16 17:42|| 2006-05-16 17:42|| Front Page Top

#18 Chavez is a total idiot. Yeah, lets sell the jets we have because we can't buy anymore...Huh???...This is great for 3 reasons. One, Venezuala will be sans jets. Two, they will go to a new home where it's very likely they will soon be destroyed. And Three, thats a few more jets off the world market for us to have to replace in future years when we're all friends again. Good for the economy.

Posted by Intrinsicpilot 2006-05-16 18:03|| 2006-05-16 18:03|| Front Page Top

#19 Chavez can also afford the French Rafale or the Eurofighter

Posted by john 2006-05-16 18:09|| 2006-05-16 18:09|| Front Page Top

#20 Pakistan is the only logical recipient of these precisely for the spare parts. But they would basically destroy their official relationship with the US if they were to buy them. Either way only a percentage of the parts would likely be compatible, but I'm not sure about the versions each country received. Iran would have absolutely no use at all for these planes without the spares and logistic support. Of course the press does not know any of these things so they report this crap breathlessly. Idiots.

Posted by remoteman 2006-05-16 18:14|| 2006-05-16 18:14|| Front Page Top

#21 Here is an idea: The day they are be delivered, we circumvent with 21 F-16's of our own. We should have clear sailing straight into Tehran. Don't forget to put the "Venezuela" tail stickers on!

Posted by airandee 2006-05-16 18:21|| 2006-05-16 18:21|| Front Page Top

#22 chevez must be really hurting for funds

these F-16s were a prestige purchase... I wouldn't be surprized if chevez wants Iran to take care of delivering oil to countries that chevez made big promises to

wonder if the mullahs will take the deal or whether they realize they have an 'friend' who is worse than useless

Posted by mhw 2006-05-16 18:36|| 2006-05-16 18:36|| Front Page Top

#23 Chavez is being silly. Uncle Sam will sell him all the parts he wants if he makes nice again. Just what is it with this guy's ego trip?

Posted by Zhang Fei 2006-05-16 18:57|| http://timurileng.blogspot.com]">[http://timurileng.blogspot.com] 2006-05-16 18:57|| Front Page Top

#24 could Iran want them for evaluation purposes? I don't think they'd be worth much as spare parts since Iran doesn't have any F-16s in its inventory.

Al

Posted by Frozen Al">Frozen Al 2006-05-16 19:02|| 2006-05-16 19:02|| Front Page Top

#25 If they are flyable, they are invaluable as manned supersonic cruise missiles (jihadi kamakazi).
Question is: Are allied recipients of export F16's provided with IFF tech? and Were these?
Yes, Virginia...ships sometimes 'sink for no reason'...

Posted by JR869">JR869 2006-05-16 20:34|| 2006-05-16 20:34|| Front Page Top

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