Venezuela Navy proudly displays Iranian CM-90 anti-ship missiles.

According to information published by the Venezuelan MoD on April 16, 2024, the Bolivarian Navy has officially added new CM-90 anti-ship missiles of Iranian origin to its arsenal. The confirmation came during an official visit by Venezuela's Minister of Defense, Padrino López, and was widely broadcast through videos and images.
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Iranian CM-90 anti-ship missiles. (Picture source: Venezuelan MoD)

The new missiles, part of a deepening military cooperation between Venezuela and Iran, have been deployed at the “Agustín Armario” Naval Base in Puerto Cabello. This base also hosts facilities dedicated to the maintenance and support of the recently acquired equipment.

The CM-90 missiles are presumed to be a part of the armament of the Peykaap missile boats, which were introduced in a naval parade in July of the previous year. These fast and agile boats are designed for coastal defense and are heavily armed relative to their size, equipped with anti-ship missile launchers and torpedo tubes, with later models also featuring remote weapon stations.

Introduced by Iran in 2022 during the DIMDEX exhibition, the CM-90 missile is about 4.16 meters long, 280 mm in diameter, and weighs approximately 350 kilograms. It features an active radar guidance system and a turbojet engine, providing it with a range of about 90 kilometers.

Iran-Venezuela relations

The military relations between Iran and Venezuela have deepened significantly over the years, reflecting a strategic alliance aimed at mutual support against external pressures, particularly from the United States.

Historically, the relationship intensified under the presidencies of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran, marked by numerous bilateral agreements across various sectors including military cooperation. These early interactions included the construction of military-related facilities in Venezuela and the planned establishment of joint enterprises, such as an ammunition factory.

In recent years, under Presidents Nicolas Maduro and Ebrahim Raisi, the relationship has further evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership. In 2022, the countries signed a 20-year cooperation roadmap during Maduro's visit to Tehran. Iran has also been implicated in supplying Venezuela with military technologies such as combat drones.