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China and Venezuela to strengthen military and technical cooperation.
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Defence & Security News - China / Venezuela
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China and Venezuela to strengthen military and technical cooperation. | |||
China and Venezuela took another step Friday, April 17, 2015, to strengthen military and technical cooperation, with a meeting between Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino and visiting Army Commander of the Lanzhou Military Region, Liu Yuejun.
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Chinese-made VN-4 4x4 armoured personnel carrier of Venezuelan army at military parade.
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During the talks held at the Defense Ministry in Caracas, Padrino welcomed Liu, saying the South American nation is "grateful (for) and comfortable" with the progress made in military cooperation.
Liu highlighted the success and milestones reached by the Venezuelan armed forces in their military development. "We come here to maintain our contacts and meet with the top military leaders, but also to learn from Venezuela's experience in the development of their armed forces," said the envoy, adding the two armed forces can learn from each others techniques. "This visit by Army Commander Liu Yuejun deepens our bonds of friendship and cooperation, which we have been building since former President Hugo Chavez strengthened bilateral ties," said Padrino. "We plan to review all our agreements signed in January of this year when President Nicolas Maduro visited Beijing," said Padrino, expressing satisfaction with the accords. There's common ground between the two nations for expanding military cooperation beyond the technical field, to include education and logistics. "Earlier this year we signed a military cooperation agreement that also involves science and technology, innovation and production for the defense of both countries," said the Venezuelan minister. Liu and his military delegation are to visit the Venezuelan Military University in Caracas and watch military exercises and drills in several other places of the country. |
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Chinese-made VN-1/Type-07P of Venezuelan army
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According the Stockholm International Peace Research Institure, China has delivered many military equipment and combat vehicles to Venezuela in 2014, including Y-8 transport aircraft, eight helicopter AS565S Panther, 18 SM-4 81mm self-propelled mortar carrier, 18 SR-5 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, 40 Type-07P/VN-1 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle, 121 VN-4 4x4 armoured personnel carrier, 25 ZBD-05 tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicle, 25 ZTD-05 amphibious light tanks, 9 K-8 Karakorum-8 trainer/combat aircraft and 24 L-15 trainer/combat aircraft.
Venezuela imported $349 million worth of arms from China and $1.96 billion worth of arms from Russia between 2010 and 2014. |
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