For the third time, Russia sends Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela

These Tupolev cold war bombers have landed this Monday Dec 10th in the Maiquetia Airport, outside Caracas, after a non stop flight of 10.000 kilometers. It has not been disclosed yet if they were carrying any weapons or how long will they stay in Venezuela.

Argentina

Argentine Marines buy equipment, sights and spares in the U.S.

This purchase addresses a much delayed need both for spares and upgrades of such machine guns, probably now in the spotlight due to the current Argentine Navy Chief of Staff, a Marine. The quantity of these acquisitions has not yet been disclosed, but is also expected that the same decision is to be replicated in the Argentine Army, also with MAG 58’s in service.

Air Forces

New announcements and updates on argentine IA-63 Pampas

President Macri should announce the air force’s request for three more aircraft, two new airframes and one conversion. This decision of continuing converting aircraft has been internally much debated considering the man hours needed for example to rewire the airframe compared to do so in a new airframe, directly affecting the possible output of this new assembly line.

Brazil

Brazil’s first KC-2 Turbo Trader performs initial engine test run

The conversion and delivery of these aircraft will provide autonomous capabilities of aerial refueling of Navy’s AF-1 Skyhawks. Although much debated considering the recent decommissioning of its sole aircraft carrier A-12 Sao Paulo, these aircraft are to operate in support of the “Atlántico” LHD and its Type 967 Artisan radar.

Air Forces

Colombia requests pricing on second hand U.S. F-16C/D

Colombia’s limited budget has constantly postponed the replacement of its frontline fleet. Many options have been considered before, even second hand spanish Eurofighter Typhoons but more of make belief than an actual serious replacement considering operational cost of these heavyweight aircraft. Israel reportedly has offered in different occasions its F-16A/B Netz fleet to Colombia but until now such offerings have been turned down.

Argentine and U.S. Special Operations troops get ready for the G20 Summit

Just a few days from the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, argentine and U.S. troops are coordinating efforts to tackle any possible conflicts or attacks on this reunion of the 20 most relevant governments and leaders of the world. Mass media has reported that 1000 U.S. Government operators, being intelligence, Secret Service and Special Operations Command have converged in Buenos Aires to guard every inch of president Trump’s schedule. Other than VH-60N, “Marine One” helicopters, has come to our attention that the U.S. has deployed 4 MH-60M+ helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 100+ Company troops in support of government officials, ready to be called in if necessary. This comes within a new defined context of urban threats, which has been in SOCOM’s crosshair since Trump´s inauguration in 2016 and therefore many exercises have been made consequently in large U.S. cities. Media reports have confirmed that argentine special troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force will be also in alert with Rapid Deployment Force (Fuerza de Despliegue Rapido, FDR) ready to be mobilized with support of the 601 Helicopter Batallion.

G20

USS Ramage on backup for G20 Summit air defense role

USS Ramage, an Arleigh Burke Flight I class destroyer is to be on alert during this G20 Summit. The Destroyer, recently refitted, is temporarily serving roles for U.S. Southern Command’s 4th Fleet. It has been recently spotted in the Brazilian port of Pernambuco, and the U.S. has scheduled a port visit to Montevideo on Dec 2nd, right after the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. This Destroyer is one of the most recently deployed ships in the USN, as stated in official media, 45% of the time of these last three years, Ramage, was in ports other than his own. This Arleigh Burke Flight I is specialized in air defense, with its AN/SPY-3D long range radar and SM-2 missiles.