Russian Bases In Venezuela

March 17, 2009

Venezuela is offering to let Russian heavy bombers, flying in from bases in northern Russia (just east of Norway), use a Venezuelan air base (on an island off the coast) for landings and refueling. These flights are publicity stunts, that serve no military purpose (except to give Norwegian and British fighter some practice intercepting Cold War vintage aircraft as they head for the high seas.) The Cold War era Russian maritime air patrols were marginally useful back then, but are pure PR these days...

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20090317.aspx