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The Venezuelan Air Force, now known as the Bolivarian Military Aviation (AMB), is Venezuela's air defense arm, structured after World War II, when it separated from the army in 1946 to become an independent unit. In a context of sanctions and restrictions, this sector of the Armed Forces faces major challenges in maintaining its power, as aviation expert Fernando De Borthole, a private pilot with more than 20 years of experience, points out to CPG.
The Venezuelan Air Force traces its history back to the 1920s, when the country's first military aviation school was founded. After World War II ended in 1946, the Venezuelan government officially created the Air Force as an autonomous entity, separating it from the army. In the years that followed, particularly between the 1950s and 1980s, Venezuela established close relations with the United States, which resulted in the acquisition of American aircraft, such as the F-16 fighter jet. This cooperation was suspended in the following decades due to economic sanctions, forcing the country to seek alternatives in Russia.
Current Venezuelan Air Force and maintenance challenges
The Venezuelan Air Force currently ranks 57th in the world in terms of air power, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks 145 countries. The AMB fleet includes approximately 240 aircraft and has more than 14.000 military personnel, responsible for covering a territory of almost one million square kilometers.
Venezuela's operational capacity has been impacted by US sanctions, which made maintenance difficult and the replacement of parts for aircraft such as the F-16, leading the country to invest in Russian alternatives, such as the Sukhoi Su-30, the AMB's main fighter currently.
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Fernando De Borthole explains that the lack of spare parts and the suspension of upgrades for the F-16s led Venezuela to scrap part of this fleet, keeping only 13 operational units. The last major acquisition of the Venezuelan Air Force was the Sukhoi Su-30 in 2006, with 21 units still in operation.
Defense capacity and military power
The Venezuelan Air Force’s ability to defend its territory depends mainly on its fleet of fighters and attack aircraft. In addition to the 13 F-16s and 21 Sukhoi Su-30s, Venezuela has the K-8W, a Chinese-made light fighter designed for pilot training. However, the low level of modernization and maintenance limitations make it uncertain how powerful these aircraft would be in a prolonged war scenario.
In addition to combat aircraft, AMB has surveillance equipment and reconnaissance aircraft such as the Fairchild C-26A and Diamond DA42 MPP, and transport and refueling aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Boeing 707 modified for aerial refueling. However, Borthole points out that constraints make it difficult to maintain these systems, limiting the overall effectiveness of the fleet.
Lack of modernization
Although the Venezuelan Air Force still has significant resources, international sanctions and maintenance difficulties jeopardize its ability to sustain itself in a prolonged conflict. Reliance on aircraft purchased from external powers and a lack of modernization are factors that affect operational readiness and limit Venezuelan defensive power.
Furthermore, Fernando De Borthole makes it clear that despite its efforts to maintain its air force, Venezuela faces great challenges. In a possible confrontation situation, the country could use its operational units, but the longevity of this capacity is still uncertain.
