Czechs Bounce, So Bolivia Goes Chinese

Source: Defense Industry Daily

Czechs Bounce, So Bolivia Goes Chinese
11-Oct-2009 15:13 EDT

The Fuerza Aerea Boliviana wants to replace its 16 obsolete Lockheed T-33s, a fleet of trainer and light attack jets whose design is derived from the USAAF/ USAF’s first jet fighter, the P-80 Shooting Star. American production ended during the late 1950s, but licensed builds ended later, and it is still in service with some air forces around the world.

Bolivia has discussed possible deals for EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft with Brazil, and spent a great deal of time negotiating with The Czech Republic for some of its surplus L-159 ALCA/ L-159T advanced trainers and light attack jets. Unlike their popular Soviet-era L-39/L-59 counterparts, however, the L-159 was designed for compatibility with NATO equipment, and featured a number of American components. That proved the sale’s undoing. The USA invoked ITAR military technology transfer laws, and blocked the export to Chavez ally Evo Morales’ government.

In response, Bolivia turned to a Chinese/Pakistani joint venture, and will soon receive its jets…



Read more: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Czechs-Bounce-So-Bolivia-Goes-Chinese-05844/

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(My emphasis.)

This attempted purchase of the airplanes from Czechoslovakia happened last year. The block of the sale was a _Bush smooth move.

Bolivia to buy Chinese jets for drug war
Submitted by WW4 Report on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 02:01.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales denied Oct. 10 that his government is engaged in a regional arms race, insisting the purchase of six Chinese military jets is only for drug enforcement. "This purchase of aircraft does not threaten anyone, they're not for war," Morales said at a ceremony commemorating the 52nd anniversary of the Bolivian Air Force. "The aircraft purchase is aimed at the fight against drug trafficking and not any arms race."

Bolivia plans to buy the Chinese K-8 Karakorum jets at a cost of $57.8 million after a similar order of Czech planes was blocked by the US. Morales last year tried to buy six L-159 ALCA light combat aircraft, made with US components, from the Czech Republic for $58 million, but disclosed in July that Washington had vetoed the sale. (AFP, Oct. 11)

http://www.ww4report.com/node/7813

Ecuador’s Correa announces trip to Russia to explore defense agreements
October 11, 8:56 AM

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa announced on Saturday he would travel to Russia in late October to explore agreements related to Ecuador’s defense industry.

"We are going to go to Russia to open new markets and establish mechanisms of cooperation in the area of defense," Correa said in a televised address. "We need to recover the operational capacity of our military."

According to Reuters reports, Correa did not specify the exact nature of deals he will seek to sign with Russia, or the schedule of his trip.

Ecuadorian neighbors Venezuela, Brazil, and Bolivia are also in the midst of purchasing military hardware, including jets, tanks and helicopters from Russian, French, and Chinese manufacturers.

http://www.examiner.com/x-17196-South-America-Policy-Examiner~y2009m10d11-Ecuadors-Correa-announces-trip-to-Russia-to-buy-weapons

and copy it. Anyway, the feeling I'm left with is that Bolivia is still an enemy in the minds of Sec. Clinton and President Obama. And that does not please me. I am willing to be educated on the position that Bolivia is still an enemy - a position passed from Cheney to Obama?

Honduras - telecomminication companies and our own military bases given as the reason for having Reich, Negroponte, Davis hanging around.

Bolivia - gas? copper, minerals, It sure isn't their naval fleet.

really long. Wait until they get to Funes. :)