Bolivarian Military Aviation of Venezuela


Bolivarian Military Aviation of Venezuela, is a professional armed body designed to defend Venezuela's sovereignty and airspace. It is a service component of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela.

Etymology

The organization is also known as the Bolivarian National Air Force of Venezuela. Its current official name has been in use since the end of 2008. It was previously called the Venezuelan Air Force.

History

Most of the airbases in Venezuela were built in the 1960s as part of a massive expansion program. The main fighter types in those years were the Canberra B(I).88, Venom FB.54, Vampire FB.52, F-86K Sabre Dog and the F-86F Sabre. Bomber squadrons typically operated B-25J Mitchell aircraft. The 1970s and 1980s saw a considerable increase in capacity, with rising oil prices enabling the FAV to re-equip most of its units. The Mirage IIIEV and Mirage 5V, Mirage 50EV, VF-5A and D, T-2D, OV-10 Bronco|OV-10A and E], and T-27 were introduced. Venezuela was one of the first export customers for the F-16A/B Fighting Falcon and was the first in Latin America to receive the aircraft, which arrived in 1983 for the newly formed Grupo Aéreo de Caza 16 at El Libertador Airbase.
In both February and November Venezuelan coup attempts of 1992, elements of the Venezuelan Air Force were key participants in the rebellion. FAV units at El Libertador Air Base under the command of Brigadier General Visconti seized control of the airbase and then launched an attack on the capital. OV-10s, T-27s, and Mirage III fighters under Visconti's command bombarded targets in the capital and loyalist air bases, destroying five VF-5 fighters on the ground.
Two loyalist pilots escaped with F-16 fighters and shot down two OV-10s and a Tucano, claiming air superiority for the government. Two more rebel OV-10s were lost to ground fire. As the tables turned on the coup attempt, General Visconti and his allies fled in two C-130 Hercules|C-130]s, two Mirages, an OV-10, and several Aérospatiale [SA 330 Puma|SA 330 helicopters].

Modernization

In July 2006, the AMV purchased 24 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 planes from Russia, as a result of the United States embargo on spare parts for their F-16 fighters and to replace the Mirage 50EV. In 2008, Venezuela sought a potential acquisition of a number of Su-35SE fighter aircraft and a second batch of 12–24 Sukhoi Su-30 from Russia. The acquisition did not succeed.
In 2010, the Venezuelan Air Force retired their aging VF-5A/D and T-2D fleet. Hongdu K-8W took their place, after being received earlier in 2010.
In October 2015, Venezuela announced a plan to purchase 12 more Su-30MK2 from Russia for $480 million.

Structure

Air bases:

Ranks

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Other ranks

The rank insignia of Venezuelan non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Accidents