Venezuela makes its own drones

Many countries make or have  unmanned aerial vehicles but recently President Hugo Chavez showed off the first model made in Venezuela. The drone is not armed but will have military and civilian uses for surveillance.

The drone was made with help from Russia, Iran, and China. During a news meeting with his defense chiefs Chavez said that it is“one of three aircraft that we have made here, and we will continue to manufacture them,”

The drone has a range of 60 miles and can fly up to 10,000 feet. Flight time is only up to 90 minutes. It measures 3 by 4 meters. The drone will be used to monitor pipelines, dams, and other infrastructure in rural areas.

The state company that manufactured the drone is also planning to manufacture rifles, grenades and ammunition. It already manufactures AK 103 assault rifles in a factory developed with Russina aid. For more see this article. Venezuela obviously has a very long way to go to match the drones made in the U.S. or even Israel.