Venezuela finalizes modernization program of combat vehicles acquire in the 1970s


Venezuela armed forces have finalized a maintenance and repair campaign program of combat vehicles and military equipment that began in January this year. The goal of this operation was to modernize military equipment acquires in the 1970s.
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Scorpion 90 light reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle of the Venezuelan army. (Picture source Facebook FAV-Club)


All this military equipment and combat vehicles were reintroduced into active service during a ceremony that was held at the facilities of Fort Paramacay, the headquarters of the 41st Armored Brigade, to 94 tactical units of the Venezuelan Army

The modernization of this military equipment was started in 2013 when the Ministry of Defense allocated $70.4 million for the fiscal year 2014 to upgrade Western-based armored vehicles into service with the Venezuelan army.

The modernization program has included the upgrade of AMX-13 tracked APC with new communication and Day/Night vision systems. The vehicle is also equipped with a new Russian weapon station armed with a 2A42 30mm automatic cannon. Army Venezuela uses 25 AMX-13 VCI, 12 AMX-13 command post,s and 8 AMX-13 ambulances. 

The French AMX-30 main battle tank was fitted with a new fire control system, a meteo mast, thermal camera, Glonass GPS receiver, a 7 kW auxiliary generator, and new tracks. According to the military balance 2020, Venezuela has a total of 81 AMX-30 V and 92 Russian T-72B1.

Army of Venezuela also used different vehicles of the British CVRT family, including the Scorpion 90, Sultan command post vehicle, and Samson armored recovery vehicles. All these vehicles have been modernized with a new engine, transmission, suspension, communication systems, and a thermal camera. Currently, 78 Scorpion 90 are in service with the Venezuela army. 

The modernization of combat vehicles also include Dragoon, V100, V150 wheeled armored vehicles and tactical vehicle 4×4 Toyota Hilux military trucks, 4×4 Jeep Wrangler CSR, 4×4 Toyota FJ-40 Cruiser CSR, 6×6 Steyr-Daimler-Puch Pinzgauer.

In the field of artillery, AMX-13 F3 155mm self-propelled howitzers, M114A1 155mm towed howitzers, OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm towed howitzer, and M2A1 105mm towed howitzers have also been modernized. According to the military balance 2020, Venezuela operates 12 AMX-13 Mk F3, 40 M101A1, 40 Mod 56, and 12 M114A1.