Venezuelan F-16's 🧵1/

The CODAI has six Air Defense regiments with a combination of the above systems as well as AAA, deployed across Venezuelan territory.

Commando de Defensa Aérea Integral (CODAI) mobile air defense systems - Chinese Lynx CS/VP4 all terrain vehicles with Igla MANPAD team, truck-mounted S-125, Buk and S-300 on TEL's

"We're prepared. We take action, individually or collectively, for each flight. We know what they're doing. We know their deployment in the Caribbean Sea, with every intention of sowing war," -Vladimir Padrino López

📍#UnitedStates / #Venezuela (🇺🇸/🇻🇪) In recent video announcements to the public, Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López confirms that RC-135s, KC-135, E-3, and P-8s have been confirmed "intruding" in the Maiquetía FIR (Flight Information Region).

#Venezuela #Maduro @_wild_billkelso @ShipWrektPod @Schizointel @prestonstew_ @DMBrookfield @IntercityFC @zgoalman @hopfifi @MT_Anderson

Precious few images at all of Venezuelan combat aviation with the highlight so far being two F-16's carrying no external armament. This from a regime that for years consistently showed off its air force hardware, especially the much-flaunted Su-30's 2/

While we continue to see images of the build up of US combat aviation in Puerto Rico, keep an eye on what we are not seeing - anything more that two-ship fights from Venezuela's fast jet fleet. AMB combat force might well be largely non-operational. 1/

Retired Fuerza Aérea Venezolana F-16 pilot Teniente Coronel Guillermo Beltrán Vielma: 2/ https://t.co/hvNyBHRCDZ

"They bought junk,but was disguised and freshly painted...but of what they bought, the little that is currently available, maybe 6 aircraft, they can't use the afterburner, the engines are expired, the radar doesn't work.." 1/

Pro Chavista regime accounts are posting images of AMB Su-30's from a decade ago. Expect more of this kind of disinformation - best guess based info I'm seeing is that 12-13 Su-30's are flyable.

@ShipWrektPod @IntercityFC @zgoalman @hopfifi @MT_Anderson @AdamKinzinger @DMBrookfield #Maduro

It is critical to consider the operational readiness of the CODAI - a lot of resources were put into the system but recent declines in spendy, politicization and cartel infiltration of personnel, have had dramatic effects on the force. 14/ https://t.co/wqopBjJN47

I didn't try to provide an exhaustive list of Venezuelan Ground Based Air Defense but have presented an overview of what any American air operation (looking more likely be the day it seems), might have to deal with. 13/

https://t.co/iOXulvdFwE 12

The sharp end of Venezuela's Ground Based Air Defense is the Russian-supplied S-300 long range SAM (approx 200-250km) acquired around 2017 in a deal that reportedly involved delivery of 2 batteries to the Comando de Defensa Aeroespacial de Venezuela. 11/

https://t.co/V2tFcTrLJ2 10/

Longer range assets include the recently acquired Chinese JY-27 Wide Mat long rage system (approx 500 km) which is claimed to be more effective against low observable (Stealth) targets such as F-35. 9/

Air defense radars of many types are potentially operational in Venezuela though newer systems are more likely serviceable and include mobile Chinese JYL-2 3D sets (12 acquired, approx 250km detection range) 8/

Medium range air defense assets include Russian supplied S-125 Pechora (approx 35km range) and Buk M2E systems of similar range. 7/

Western AAA systems that might still be operational include the 40mm Oto Melara 40/L70 and Israeli supplied TCM-20 twin 20mm cannon 6/