The new ammunition venture in Venezuela will also ensure a steady supply of 7.62mm ordnance in the Western Hemisphere, defying international sanctions.
Russia’s Rosobornexport state-run military export company has announced that construction is progressing on a planned ammunition factory in Venezuela, which will manufacture the widely used 7.62mm cartridges. According to a report from the Russian state news agency Tass, upwards of 70 million cartridges could roll off the assembly line each year.
A ceremony officially marking the beginning of construction was held earlier this month, with Venezuelan Deputy Defense Minister Henry Rodriguez and Minister of Industry and National Production Alex Saab in attendance.
Russia’s Transition From Exporter of Weapons to Licensee
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union supplied vast quantities of arms and equipment to friendly communist and pro-communist governments around the world, while it also provided insurgent forces with the weapons to support Marxist revolutions. In the 21st century, Moscow may no longer seek to spread communism, but it continues to seek influence with foreign partners, adopting a different approach to propping up friendly regimes.
While the Kremlin can no longer afford to simply “give away the goods,” it instead looks to court foreign buyers of its military hardware. Additionally, it has increasingly sought to establish foreign partnerships in which Russian-designed weapons are produced under license.
Such is the case with the Kalashnikov series of small arms that are being produced in Venezuela. The South American nation first forged an agreement in 2006 to build a factory that would produce a licensed version of the AK-130 assault rifle. Although the program faced delays due to UN sanctions and expected corruption scandals, the plant was completed and began production last year. Located in Maracay, Aragua state, the Venezuelan facility was set to produce 25,000 rifles annually.
The Venezuelan AK-103s would be the first Kalashnikov series assault rifles produced in South America. However, the series of small arms infamously developed in the Soviet Union has already been made under license in nearly two dozen countries in Europe, Asia, and even Africa. The Egyptian-made variant, the Maadi ARM, was the first AK-series rifle to be imported into the United States in the 1980s.
What Ammunition is Now Being Produced at the Plant?
The new ammunition venture in Venezuela will also ensure a steady supply of 7.62mm ordnance in the Western Hemisphere, despite sanctions that have attempted to block Russian exports of the ammunition to other nations. Large quantities of military ammunition typically require an “End-User Certificate” (EUC) for international transfers, and this could help clear some of the red tape. It could also enhance the defense capabilities of one of Russia’s closest partners in Latin America.
“The construction of the cartridge plant in Venezuela was a major challenge for Rosoboronexport due to the sanctions pressure on both countries,” Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev told Tass.
“Despite objective restrictions, together with Rostec, we have implemented the complicated infrastructure project and showed to the world that we always [fulfill] commitments to our partners,” the Rosoboronexport chief added. “The defense potential of Venezuela has considerably increased due to the launch of the first stage of the plant. Our closest task is to launch the second line and implement a full technological production chain.”
Multiple variants of ammunition will be produced at the facility.
“The first stage of the cartridge enterprise for Kalashnikov rifles in Venezuela has four modern lines. Two of them produce cartridges with steel core bullets, and another two—tracer and blank cartridges,” explained Rostec Executive Director Oleg Yevtushenko. “Other production facilities have to be launched shortly to ensure a full cycle of production of cartridges and Kalashnikov rifles in the territory of Venezuela for the national army, police, and other law enforcers.”
Venezuela is already one of South America’s largest operators of Russian-made small arms and military hardware. The Kremlin has praised this partnership as forging closer ties, while aiding Venezuela’s efforts to “fight drug trafficking and organized crime.” It could further enable the pro-Marxist government to maintain control as it faces increasing pressure from the country’s democracy movement.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Nordroden.
