The Venezuelan Navy is moving forward with creating a squadron of combat boats, according to what was announced by the National Armed Force naval component through social networks.
In that order, the general commander of the Navy, Admiral Aníbal José Brito Hernández, made an inspection visit to the Naval Station ‘Teniente de Navío Tomas Vega’ to verify “the advances in the creation of this naval unit”.
The ‘Vega’ Naval Station is located in Turiamo Bay, Aragua State, in the central northern coastal region of the country, facing the Caribbean Sea, where the Eighth Marine Special Forces Brigade and naval logistical support facilities are headquartered.
ROCKET-LAUNCHING VESSELS
Although the type of vessels with which the new squadron will be equipped was not specified, it is presumed that they will be Damen Interceptor 1102 type boats, which have been fitted with a Haseb multiple rocket launcher system of Iranian origin.
As reported by InfoDefensa, the presentation of the first Interceptor 1102 equipped with this system, and the test launching of rockets at sea, took place in March of this year.
Subsequently, during the Independence Day military parade on July 5, three of these launches were paraded on trailers: Zuata (LI-02), Paracaima (LI-03), and Capaya (LI-05); however, it is not known how many of the 14 units of this type available to the Venezuelan Navy will be converted into rocket launchers.
The Interceptor 1102 are ultra-fast vessels of extreme maneuverability, whose hull is made of fiberglass and carbon-reinforced epoxy. They measure 11 meters in length, 2.5 meters in beam, and 0.9 meters in the draft.
Its two Volvo D-6-370 engines allow it to reach a speed of 55 knots, while its range is 200 nautical miles. It can carry two crew members and four personnel for special operations.
The Haseb system’s launcher consists of 11 rocket tubes of 107 mm, each with a range of 9 km and a warhead of 8 kg.
With information from InfoDefensa