Venezuela Deploys Combat Tested Iranian Long Range Strike Drones to Respond to U.S. Military Buildup

The Venezuelan Air Force has been confirmed to have received Iranian Mohajer-6 unmanned aircraft, which is the first known armed drone type have been brought into service in the country. The aircraft are based at El Libertador Air Base, the Air Force’s primary operational facility, where the country’s Su-30MK2 fighters have also been based. The Mohajer-6 is deployed by the armed forces of Iran and Russia, with unconfirmed reports also indicating deployments by Sudan, Ethiopia, and formerly by Syria. It has seen combat tests both to support Syrian government counterinsurgency efforts against a number of Islamist paramilitaries, to engage Islamic State terrorist units in Iraq, and in reconnaissance roles in the Ukrainian theatre. Unconfirmed reports indicate deployments have also been made to support the Sudanese government’s own counterinsurgency efforts against Western-backed Rapid Support Forces paramilitary units.

The Mohajer-6 is prized for its high endurance and its modern reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, allowing it to potentially serve as a force multiplier for other strike assets most notably Su-30MK2 fighters that carry a wide range of cruise missile types. A number of unconfirmed reports that Iran has also made large scale transfers of single use drones such as the Shahed 136 to Venezuela could allow the Mohajer-6 to play a highly complementary role in supporting their operations by providing targeting data. The aircraft integrates a forward-facing camera for navigation, and chin mounted laser range finder and multispectral infrared targeting system. Its endurance of up to 12 hours can potentially facilitate extended loitering for reconnaissance far out to sea. 

Venezuela was previously confirmed to have procured Iranian Peykaap-3 fast attack missile boats with CM-90 Nasr sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missiles, although the full extend of defence ties between the two Western adversaries remain uncertain. It remains possible that the procurement of new unmanned aircraft was made in response to the United States’ initiation of a major military buildup to maximise pressure on Venezuela, with the express purpose of overthrowing its socialist government. The U.S. Air Force has deployed B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer intercontinental range strategic bombers for simulated strikes and Bomber Attack Demonstrations over the Caribbean Sea, and a wide range of other air and naval assets including full carrier groups that have been simulating attacks on its territory. Alongside Iranian drones, Russian sources have reported that advanced air defence equipment has been transferred to strengthen Venezuelan defences.