American specialists are primarily interested in air defense systems, Su-30 fighter jets, and R-77 missiles that the Russian Federation has supplied to Caracas over the past few years.
American specialists are primarily interested in air defense systems, Su-30 fighter jets, and R-77 missiles that the Russian Federation has supplied to Caracas over the past few years.
After the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on the night of January 3, the United States announced its intention to temporarily take control of the country until a safe transfer of power. Washington also announced plans to restore control over Venezuela's oil industry, which has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, writes Defence Express.
In the event of a pro-U.S. government being formed in Caracas, American military and defense specialists may gain access to all the weaponry of the Venezuelan armed forces, including Russian samples supplied by the Russian Federation in recent years. This opens up the possibility for the Pentagon to study in detail a number of systems that remain of interest to American intelligence.
Among the most valuable samples are the S-300VM anti-aircraft missile systems, supplied by Russia in 2013 in the amount of two divisions. In addition, in October 2025, the Russian Federation transferred an unknown number of Pantsir air defense systems and Buk-M2 missile systems to Venezuela, which had previously been supplied to the country from 2009 to 2015.
At the same time, some Russian air defense systems may have been destroyed during the American operation in the Caracas area - publicly released videos have recorded the destruction of at least one Buk-M2 system.
The Su-30MKV fighter jets, which Venezuela has been receiving since 2006, are of particular interest to the U.S. The country still has 21 aircraft of this type in service. Even more valuable for analysis may be the R-77 air-to-air missiles, which are considered among the most modern in the Russian arsenal.
Among other samples that Americans may gain access to:
- 300-mm Smerch multiple rocket launchers (12 units);
- Iranian reconnaissance-strike UAVs Mohajer-6;
- Chinese amphibious BMP VN-16 (ZBD-05).
In addition, the new authorities in Venezuela will have to address the future of a large fleet of Russian armored vehicles and artillery. The country still has 92 T-72B tanks, 123 BMP-3s, 114 BTR-80As, 48 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, 13 Nona-SVKs, 24 Grad multiple rocket launchers, as well as Mi-17, Ka-29, and Ka-31 helicopters, the maintenance of which without Russian involvement is virtually impossible.
Analysts suggest that a significant portion of this weaponry will eventually be decommissioned, sold, or lose combat capability. At the same time, Washington is likely interested in the gradual disarmament of one of the most powerful armed forces in South America and the transition of Caracas to American weapon systems.
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