Bolivia to buy Chinese jets for drug war

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

(My emphasis.)

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…

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

The Tucano is much better for this application.

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

Ecuador has economic problems at this time - it has been hurt by the financial crisis, and it lacks the resources to purchase weapons. I suspect the trip to China is just a junket for Correa, unless the Chinese give him very good credit terms.

I did notice Ecuador and Colombia seem to be patching up their relations. This is good news, it doesn't make sense for neighbours to be at odds the way they are. Also, Ecuador depends on Colombian energy supplies, and Colombia needs Ecuadorian cooperation to eliminate the FARC in the border areas, so improved relations are definitely a plus for both sides.