Are the 8 new Spanish-built corvettes for Venezuela a threat ?

[contedicavour]

There's a lot of talk recently about the 8 new corvettes for Venezuela built by Bazan/Navantia of Spain.
Besides the fact that a leftist Spanish government is having fun at irritating the US , are these ships really worth all this fuss ?
From what I've read we're talking of 80 or 90-metre long patrol ships with no serious AAW or ASW... the older Italian-built Lupos (just renovated by US shipyards are much more of a threat.
If we can call the Venezuelan Navy a threat at all, with its 2 old German subs, 6 Lupos, 2 obsolete corvettes and 6 minuscule patrol boats that can however launch Otomat SSMs.

Interested in any remarks

cheers

 

[Big-E]

A threat, first I've heard of it characterized that way... any links to who is saying that?

 

[Sea Toby]

I agree, they are not much of a threat to the US. However, the US has other interests involving South American nations, and these ships could threaten Columbia.

 

[contedicavour]

A threat, first I've heard of it characterized that way... any links to who is saying that?

The European press explains that the US are doing all they can to stop or derail the sale to Venezuela on security reasons, and the sale is described as a "threat to regional equilibriums" if I translate litterally.
Do you know what exact equipment will be installed aboard ?

cheers

 

[Supe]

@Contedicavour

One could argue that such a purchase would maintain regional equilibrium thus enhancing regional stability.

I would see Spanish Govt support for defence sales as related to domestic business earning money rather than any deliberate attempt to annoy U.S administration.

 

[Capt. Picard]

I find this a bit bizarre. They have a tiny navy, so who are they a threat to? The US navy?
The Venezuelan govt. is not a threat to anyone. The only problem for the US is that they have oil and they are not lackeys.

 

[merocaine]

Yeah I heard that there planning to use them to support an ampfibious landing in San Fran dude

I also heard Fiji is thinking about buying a couple of speed boats, do you think the USN will be looking at the posture in the region

 

[kilo]

if the us navy can find it it can destroy it so surface ships pose very little threat and considering all the ASW assets we can put in the area 2 old german subs aren't going to be a big deal either unless they have a tactical genius for a skipper who
is also very lucky.

 

[contedicavour]

Venezuela is buying 3 improved Kilo from Russia...

News just in from Jane's.
Ready with other funny jokes on speedboats to Fidji : ??
Chavez has decided it is war, this guy is crazy:ar15
He really thinks the US has nothing better to do than attack Venezuela !

 

[Big-E]

News just in from Jane's.
Ready with other funny jokes on speedboats to Fidji : ??
Chavez has decided it is war, this guy is crazy:ar15
He really thinks the US has nothing better to do than attack Venezuela !

The US isn't the only one Venezuela has a problem with, they to party down in Aruba.:shudder

 

[santi]

These are the vessels proposed to Venezuela:

Four of these:

They seem a derivative of the AFCON Corvette but without the AEGIS-K, of course . They will be guive to the Venezuelan Navy nearly disarmed (the 76 and little more). What weapons were mounted after are Venezuelan matter.

... and four of these:

They are a modernised version of the Serviola OPV's builded for the spanish Navy in the 90´s.

Regards

 

[merocaine]

News just in from Jane's.
Ready with other funny jokes on speedboats to Fidji ??
Chavez has decided it is war, this guy is crazy
He really thinks the US has nothing better to do than attack Venezuela !

Chavez reminds me of an abusive cripple, he shouts a lot only because he knows you'd feel to guilty about smacking him.

I imagine those boats are going to be used to up grade Venezuela coast guard capiblity, they have problems with gun running and drugs being moved by sea.

 

[merocaine]

Ready with other funny jokes on speedboats to Fidji ??

Sorry dude Chavez he just cracks me up

 

[contedicavour]

These are the vessels proposed to Venezuela:

Four of these:

They seem a derivative of the AFCON Corvette but without the AEGIS-K, of course . They will be guive to the Venezuelan Navy nearly disarmed (the 76 and little more). What weapons were mounted after are Venezuelan matter.

... and four of these:

They are a modernised version of the Serviola OPV's builded for the spanish Navy in the 90´s.

Regards

Thanks a lot for the pictures !
The Venezuelans can equip these ships with Otomat missiles, either the older Mk-1 (80km range) or the better Mk-2 (180km range). These missiles equip the 6 FACs that Venezuela has. On AAW, they could try to buy Russian systems, there is ample space aboard for SA-N-9 and/or Kashtan CIWS.
Still, it is the improved Kilos (or even Ladas possibly) that would worry me most.

cheers