Beijing’s Shield Fails! Venezuela’s “Strongest Air Defense in South America” Collapses in U.S. Military Action
For years, the Venezuelan military poured vast sums into acquiring Chinese-made military equipment, building what it claimed was the “most modern” defense system in South America. At its core was an air-defense network centered on the JY-27 counter-stealth radar, once believed capable of effectively countering U.S. stealth aircraft such as the F-22. Meanwhile, its Marine Corps—equipped with VN-16 and VN-18 amphibious armored vehicles—was widely regarded as a formidable armored force in the region.
However, during the latest U.S. military operation, these Chinese-built systems suffered what has been described as “catastrophic paralysis.” Radar systems were blinded in the first wave of electronic warfare, while heavy ground equipment—lacking air superiority and protective cover—failed to deliver expected combat performance and was destroyed or abandoned. Military analysts say this highlights the significant technological gap that still exists when Chinese weapons systems face top-tier opponents like the U.S. military in complex electromagnetic and precision-strike environments.
A Paper Defense Line: Why Venezuela’s Chinese Weapons Proved “Helpless” Against the U.S. Military
As U.S. operations in Venezuela advanced rapidly, the “steel defense line of South America,” once expected to mount fierce resistance, collapsed in a remarkably short time. The conflict has not only reshaped Venezuela’s situation, but also subjected its main arms supplier—China—to an embarrassing technical reckoning.
For years, Venezuela was viewed as a showcase for Chinese military equipment in Latin America. Yet real combat results indicate that systems promoted as “capable of countering the West” proved extremely fragile when confronted by the U.S. military’s system-of-systems warfare.
The ‘Counter-Stealth’ Myth Shattered: Radar Systems Go Blind First
At the heart of Venezuela’s air-defense network was a radar array produced by China Electronics Technology Group. Venezuelan forces fielded the JYL-1 three-coordinate long-range surveillance radar and the JY-27 meter-wave radar, often touted as a “stealth killer.” Officials had boasted that the JY-27 could lock onto U.S. F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters from hundreds of kilometers away and guide Russian-made S-300 missiles to intercept them.
Combat results, however, show that within hours of the operation’s start, the United States Armed Forces launched an intense electronic-warfare offensive. On-site assessments indicate Venezuelan radar screens were immediately flooded by powerful jamming, followed by precise strikes from anti-radiation missiles. The so-called “counter-stealth” capability never came into play; the entire air-defense command system was effectively blinded at the outset of hostilities.
Ground Armored Forces: An Abandoned Steel Tide
Venezuela’s Marine Corps had long been considered South America’s best-equipped amphibious force, largely thanks to comprehensive Chinese mechanized equipment. Its frontline assets included the VN-16 amphibious assault vehicle with a 105-mm gun, the VN-18 infantry fighting vehicle, and the VN-4 “Rhinoceros” armored vehicle widely issued to the National Guard. Fire support was provided by the SR-5 multiple rocket launcher system.
Combat experience showed that without air cover and radar early warning, these costly amphibious vehicles became easy targets for U.S. attack aircraft and drones. Battlefield footage indicates many VN-series vehicles were not destroyed in tank-to-tank combat but were abandoned by crews after air strikes on beaches or highways. The SR-5 rocket artillery, lacking target data links, was unable to deliver effective strikes against U.S. troop concentrations.
The Absence of Air and Naval Power
Venezuela’s Air Force, operating K-8W trainer/light attack aircraft, was entirely grounded after the U.S. secured air superiority. Designed mainly to intercept light narcotics aircraft, these planes had no survivability in modern air combat. Patrol vessels armed with C-802A anti-ship missiles likewise saw their capabilities rendered ineffective under overwhelming U.S. battlefield awareness and electronic suppression.
Expert Analysis: A Comprehensive Defeat of Chinese-Style Command and Control
Military observers argue Venezuela’s failure was not due to the quality of any single weapon, but rather a comprehensive defeat of Chinese-style command-and-control systems. While China supplied advanced hardware—such as radars, armored vehicles, and air-defense systems—its ability to integrate them into a jam-resistant, highly survivable operational network still has significant room for improvement.
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