Russia could deploy bombers to Cuba and Venezuela

Antaletriangle · 03-17-2009, 09:36 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...Venezuela.html

Russia is considering using bases in Cuba and Venezuela where it could deploy strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear missiles.

By Alex Spillius in Washington
Last Updated: 8:24PM GMT 15 Mar 2009

Tu-160 strategic bombers were temporarily based in Venezuela.
The claim by General Anatoly Zhikharev, chief of the Russian air force's strategic aviation staff, is the latest signal that Moscow intends to project its military capability in far-flung corners of the globe despite a tight defence budget and hardware that experts consider in many respects outdated.

"This is possible in Cuba," said Gen Zhikharev. But he indicated that Russia was looking only at occasional use of the facilities rather than setting up permanent bases in the region.

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Russia to build eight nuclear submarinesRussia resumed patrols by its long-distance strategic bombers in August 2007 after a 15-year hiatus, noting at the time that it was mirroring the United States, which did not suspend its global bomber patrols after the Cold War.

Last year, Russia temporarily based a pair of Tu-160 bombers at an airbase in Venezuela in a carefully choreographed display of force regarded as a warning to the US. Cuba's ruling Castro family and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez have formed a Left-wing alliance designed to counter Washington's hegemony in Latin America.

The previous US administration officially shrugged off the Russian aviation and naval moves in the region, characterising them as more for show than anything representing a military worry.

However, last July, Gen Norton Schwartz, a senior US air force officer, warned that Russia would cross "a red line" if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba. Reports in Russia said that there were three types of Russian aircraft capable of long-distance bomber patrols: the Tu-95MS, the Tu-160 and the Tu-22, all of which are capable of carrying 12 cruise missiles that can be fitted with nuclear warheads.

Venezuelan officials confirmed on Sunday that they had offered Russia the use of their facilities.

03-17-2009, 09:36 AM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Russia could deploy bombers to Cuba and Venezuela http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...Venezuela.html Russia is considering using bases in Cuba and Venezuela where it could deploy strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear missiles. By Alex Spillius in Washington Last Updated: 8:24PM GMT 15 Mar 2009 Tu-160 strategic bombers were temporarily based in Venezuela. The claim by General Anatoly Zhikharev, chief of the Russian air force's strategic aviation staff, is the latest signal that Moscow intends to project its military capability in far-flung corners of the globe despite a tight defence budget and hardware that experts consider in many respects outdated. "This is possible in Cuba," said Gen Zhikharev. But he indicated that Russia was looking only at occasional use of the facilities rather than setting up permanent bases in the region. Related Articles Cat and mouse games echo Cold War Russia to resume Cold War navy patrols RAF jets scrambled to track Russian bombers Russia ready to step back from arms race with US Russia to build eight nuclear submarinesRussia resumed patrols by its long-distance strategic bombers in August 2007 after a 15-year hiatus, noting at the time that it was mirroring the United States, which did not suspend its global bomber patrols after the Cold War. Last year, Russia temporarily based a pair of Tu-160 bombers at an airbase in Venezuela in a carefully choreographed display of force regarded as a warning to the US. Cuba's ruling Castro family and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez have formed a Left-wing alliance designed to counter Washington's hegemony in Latin America. The previous US administration officially shrugged off the Russian aviation and naval moves in the region, characterising them as more for show than anything representing a military worry. However, last July, Gen Norton Schwartz, a senior US air force officer, warned that Russia would cross "a red line" if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba. Reports in Russia said that there were three types of Russian aircraft capable of long-distance bomber patrols: the Tu-95MS, the Tu-160 and the Tu-22, all of which are capable of carrying 12 cruise missiles that can be fitted with nuclear warheads. Venezuelan officials confirmed on Sunday that they had offered Russia the use of their facilities.