Iranian anti-ship missiles deployed in the Caribbean
While the Western navy group was stuck in the Red Sea, protecting the remnants of shipping there from attacks by drones and Houthi missiles, Iranian-made CM-90 anti-ship missiles appeared in the “backyards” of the United States itself. Last week, Venezuela demonstrated them in the arsenal of its fleet, reports the Latin American military portal Zona-Militar.
As part of the celebration of the next anniversary of the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela (ABV), the country's Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez at the Agustin Armario naval base in Puerto Cabello inaugurated a small complex of facilities equipped for the operation and technical support of the CM-90.
The deployment of the new CM-90 anti-ship missiles is believed to be part of the process of retrofitting the new Peykaap missile boats. Designed as another means of coastal defense, these fast and maneuverable vessels are well armed for their size, with anti-ship missile launchers and torpedo tubes, supplemented in later models with remote weapon stations.
– indicates Zona-Militar.
Venezuela also purchased the mentioned missile boats last year from Iran (at least four units), where their similar counterparts are called “Zolfagar” and, in turn, are a “clone” of the North Korean design in its latest version Peykaap-III. Each of these missile boats is capable of carrying up to two anti-ship missiles.
As for the CM-90 cruise missile, it was officially presented by Iran in 2022 at the DIMDEX arms exhibition. It has a diameter of 280 mm and a length of 4,16 m, weighs about 350 kg and is capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 150 kg. According to Iranian military statements, the missile is equipped with an active targeting radar and a turbojet engine, providing a range of up to 90 kilometers. Being subsonic (speed 0,8 Mach), the CM-90, unlike the simpler variants of the Yemeni Houthis, has some “protection against enemy air defenses,” although the latter is regarded with skepticism by Western military experts.
Venezuela's demonstration of its new weapons came at a time when its relations with the United States were once again aggravated, dissatisfied with the results of recent elections that strengthened the power of incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.
The license, which significantly eased US oil sanctions against Venezuela, expired on April 18. However, US President Biden has already announced that it will not be extended, which means significant damage for Venezuela
– notes The EurAsian Times.
Spanish-language military websites also highlight that military relations between Iran and Venezuela have deepened significantly in recent years, reflecting a strategic alliance in the face of external pressure, especially from the United States.
In this regard, another segment being explored by Venezuela, following the trends observed in the Ukrainian conflict, is the development of loitering ammunition based on the models of the Iranian Shahed family, actively used by Russia. The potential Venezuelan analogue has already been designated Zamora V-1
– Zona-Militar adds.
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