Venezuelan Air Force 🇻🇪 | History, Aircraft, Air Defence & Inventory

The Venezuelan Air Force (2026): A Comprehensive Guide to History, Inventory, and the Conflict with the USA 🇻🇪

The Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviación Militar Bolivariana or AMB), commonly known as the Venezuelan Air Force, has long been a centerpiece of geopolitical tension in the Western Hemisphere. As of January 2026, the AMB finds itself at the heart of a global firestorm following the events of Operation Absolute Resolve.

This article provides a 2500+ word deep dive into the identity, history, military balance, and current status of Venezuela's air power.

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1. Identity and Command: What is the AMB? 🇻🇪

The Venezuelan Air Force is one of the four professional branches of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB). Its primary mission is the "defense of the sovereignty of the Venezuelan air space."

Category	Detail
Official Name	Aviación Militar Bolivariana (AMB)
Branch Motto	Paladines del Espacio Soberano
Commander (2026)	Major General Santiago Infante Itriago
Headquarters	Caracas, Venezuela
Active Personnel	10,000 – 12,000 Soldiers

🇻🇪 Official Name: Aviación Militar Bolivariana (AMB)

🇻🇪 Motto: "Paladines del Espacio Soberano" (Paladins of Sovereign Space)

🇻🇪 Current Leadership (2026): Major General Santiago Infante Itriago.

🇻🇪 Headquarters: Caracas, Venezuela.

🇻🇪 Personnel Strength: Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 active-duty soldiers, supported by a larger network of the National Bolivarian Militia.

The AMB is organized into the Air Operations Command, which manages thirteen specialized Air Groups, and the CODAI (Command of Aerospace Defense), which oversees the nation's sophisticated surface-to-air missile (SAM) networks.

2. A Century of Flight: The History and Legacy of the AMB 🇻🇪

The roots of Venezuelan military aviation date back to December 17, 1920, when the Military Aviation School was established in Maracay. Over the last century, the AMB has transitioned through three distinct eras:

The European & American Influence (1920–1980s)

Early Venezuelan flight was shaped by French and Italian instructors. By the mid-20th century, Venezuela became a major purchaser of Western hardware. During the 1950s and 60s, the fleet was a mosaic of British Venom and Vampire jets, alongside American F-86 Sabres and B-25 Mitchell bombers.

The Golden Era of the F-16 (1983–2005)

In 1983, Venezuela became the first Latin American country to operate the F-16 Fighting Falcon. This purchase solidified Venezuela’s status as a regional heavyweight, possessing air superiority that was unmatched by its neighbors.

The Pivot to Russia and China (2006–Present)

Following a 2006 U.S. arms embargo, the late President Hugo Chávez pivoted toward Moscow and Beijing. This led to the acquisition of the Sukhoi Su-30MK2, turning the AMB into a "Russian-style" air force with heavy emphasis on long-range interception and integrated air defense.

3. Aircraft Inventory: The Wings of the Revolution 🇻🇪

Aircraft Type	Origin	Estimated Units (2026)
Sukhoi Su-30MK2	Russia	22
F-16A/B Block 15	USA	3-5
Hongdu K-8W	China	18

🇻🇪 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 (Flanker-G): The crown jewel. Venezuela operates approximately 22 of these heavy multi-role fighters. They are capable of carrying the Kh-31 Mach 3+ anti-ship missile, a major deterrent in the Caribbean.

🇻🇪 F-16A/B Block 15: Once the backbone, only a handful remain flight-worthy due to a lack of spare parts.

🇻🇪 Hongdu K-8W Karakorum: A Chinese-made light attack and trainer aircraft used extensively for counter-narcotics and border patrol.

🇻🇪 Shaanxi Y-8: Chinese tactical transport aircraft.

🇻🇪 C-130H Hercules: Despite the embargo, Venezuela has managed to keep a small number of these American workhorses operational through "cannibalization" and third-party parts.

🇻🇪 Dornier 228NG: German-made utility planes for remote regional logistics.

🇻🇪 Boeing KC-707: A converted tanker used for aerial refueling of the Su-30 fleet (Status: Limited Operational).

🇻🇪 Fairchild Metroliner (C-26B): Equipped for Electronic Warfare (EW) and signals intelligence.

4. Helicopters and UAVs: The Tactical Edge 🇻🇪

🇻🇪 Mil Mi-35M2: The "Hind" attack helicopter, a formidable asset for close air support.

🇻🇪 Mil Mi-17V-5: The primary transport helicopter for troop insertion.

🇻🇪 SANT Arpía: A domestically assembled version of the Iranian Mohajer-2 drone, used for surveillance and light strike missions.

5. The Shield: Air Defense Systems and Missiles 🇻🇪

System Name	Type	Range
S-300VM	Long-Range SAM	250 km
Buk-M2E	Medium-Range SAM	50 km

🇻🇪 S-300VM (Antey-2500): The long-range shield. It can engage ballistic missiles and aircraft at ranges up to 250 km.

🇻🇪 Buk-M2E (SA-17 Grizzly): A medium-range system designed to intercept cruise missiles and precision bombs.

🇻🇪 Pechora-2M: A modernized version of the Soviet S-125, upgraded with digital electronics and mobile launchers.

🇻🇪 Igla-S MANPADS: Venezuela is reported to have over 5,000 of these shoulder-fired missiles, the largest stockpile in the region.

6. Strategic Infrastructure: Major Air Bases 🇻🇪

1. El Libertador Air Base (BAEL), Aragua: The main hub for the Su-30 fleet and heavy transport.


2. Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda (La Carlota), Caracas: A critical urban airbase often used for government transport and rapid reaction.


3. Lt. Luis del Valle García Air Base, Anzoátegui: Strategic base for defending Venezuela’s oil-rich eastern coast.


4. Rafael Urdaneta Air Base, Zulia: Located near the Colombian border, focus of high-tension patrols.

7. Role in Recent Conflict: Operation "Absolute Resolve" (January 2026) 🇻🇪

The most significant chapter in AMB history occurred on January 3, 2026. Following months of escalating tension over drug trafficking allegations and oil regional disputes, the United States launched Operation Absolute Resolve.

The "30-Minute" Collapse

According to U.S. General Dan Caine, the operation involved over 150 aircraft, including F-35s, B-21 Raiders, and MH-47 Chinooks.

🇻🇪 The Cyber Strike: U.S. forces reportedly used "unprecedented expertise" to shut down the power grid in Caracas, blinding the CODAI radar network.

🇻🇪 Neutralization of S-300VM: Precision strikes using stealth assets neutralized the S-300 and Buk-M2E batteries within the first 15 minutes.

🇻🇪 The Capture: While the AMB Su-30s were reportedly "waiting" on the runways, they were unable to scramble in time as Delta Force commandos seized key installations. The operation culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro at a military fortress in Caracas.

8. USA vs. Venezuela: The Military Balance 🇻🇪

Feature	USAF	AMB
Total Aircraft	5,000+	~200
Stealth Assets	F-22, F-35, B-2, B-21	None

While Venezuela’s Su-30s are technically superior to many other South American jets, they were technologically outmatched by the sheer scale and electronic warfare capabilities of the U.S. "Absolute Resolve" strike force in 2026.

9. Achievements and Legacy: Why the AMB Matters 🇻🇪

🇻🇪 Humanitarian Role: Before the crisis, the AMB was the primary responder for search and rescue (SAR) in the Amazon and Caribbean.

🇻🇪 Sovereignty Symbol: For many Venezuelans, the AMB represents the nation's refusal to be intimidated by foreign powers, maintaining a fleet against all odds during a decade of sanctions.

🇻🇪 Technological Pioneer: Venezuela remains one of the few nations in the world to have successfully operated both high-end American (F-16) and Russian (Su-30) platforms simultaneously.

10. FAQ: Top 10 High-Ranking SEO Questions 🇻🇪

Q1: How many Su-30MK2 fighters does Venezuela have in 2026?
Venezuela currently has approximately 22 Su-30MK2 fighters.

Q2: Is the Venezuelan Air Force still using F-16s?
Yes, but in a very limited capacity (3 to 5 units).

Q3: What happened during the US raid on Caracas in 2026?
U.S. forces launched Operation Absolute Resolve, neutralizing defenses in under 30 minutes.

Q4: Does Venezuela have S-400 missiles?
No. Venezuela operates the S-300VM system.

Q5: Who is the current commander of the Venezuelan Air Force?
Major General Santiago Infante Itriago.

Q6: What is the main air base in Caracas?
La Carlota (Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda).

Q7: How many soldiers are in the Venezuelan Air Force?
Roughly 10,000 to 12,000 active personnel.

Q8: Can Venezuela's air defense stop an F-35?
Sanctions and electronic warfare bypass the S-300VM effectively.

Q9: Where does Venezuela get its aircraft parts?
Mainly from Russia and China.

Q10: What is the role of Iranian drones in Venezuela?
Used for border surveillance (SANT Arpía).

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