Venezuela receives first batch of military vehicles from China

Source : http://www.wantchinatimes.com

China turned over a first batch of 557 military vehicles to Venezuela at a ceremony in Palo Negro in the state of Aragua on June 26, according to Military Parade, a Russian-language defense website based in Moscow.

The consignment included VN-4 4x4 wheeled armored vehicles, ABV-1 assault breacher vehicles and WTC-1 water cannon vehicles. There were also 200 of the NG2629 6x6 vehicle produced by China North Industries Corporation.

Caracas is buying the new vehicles to improve the Venezuelan National Guard's mobility and combat capability. Earlier this year, 16 national guard vehicles were destroyed in a protest that turned violent.

Venezuela has planned to buy a total of 2,106 military vehicles for its ground forces between 2009 and 2019, chiefly from China. A second batch is scheduled for delivery in September with a third batch expected later this year or early next year.