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Topic: Air Warfare Blog Brand: The Buzz Region: Americas Tags: Air Defense, Missiles, Russia, South America, United States, US Air Force, and Venezuela Venezuela’s “Obsolete” S-125 Pechora-2M Might Embarrass US Stealth Planes January 2, 2026 By: Brandon J. Weichert
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Venezuela’s S-125 anti-air missile system is positively ancient today—yet the same model was unexpectedly able to shoot down an F-117 Nighthawk over Serbia in 1999.
Over the holidays, President Donald Trump let it slip that he had ordered an escalation from simply attacking targets at sea to hitting land-based targets. Generally, Venezuela’s military is not seen as either competent or much of a threat to the US forces arrayed off the coast of the resource-rich Latin American country.
In a conventional fight, there is little doubt that this perception is accurate. For all the talk about Russian military assistance handed over to the Maduro regime in Caracas, many of the systems they depend upon are older Soviet-era systems. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Venezuela’s forces are totally impotent when fighting US forces.
The “Antique” Air Defense System Guarding Caracas
For instance, Caracas is defended by what many experts would likely describe as an “antique,” air defense network consisting of the S-125 Pechora-2M low-to-medium altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
The Venezuelan version of the S-125 is upgraded from the Soviet era. When compared to the threats the Venezuelans are expected to defend their capital against, however, the S-125 isn’t very useful.
Where the Venezuelan S-125 has been upgraded is important, though. Consider that the S-125s ringing Caracas feature improved electronics and are mobile. The original Soviet era system was a static emplacement. Venezuela’s S-125s can be integrated with more advanced Russian AD systems, such as the S-300VM and Buk.
The S-125 Pechora-2M, while older and less sophisticated when compared to other Russian-made AD systems, can still pack a punch. Venezuela uses the S-125s to secure the airspace around their sensitive infrastructure, such as oil facilities.
Caracas acquired the S-125 Pechora-2Ms from Russia in the early 2000s when Hugo Chavez, the man who founded the current regime in Caracas, purchased them from Moscow.
Low-Tech Systems Have Beaten Advanced Stealth Planes Before
While the S-125 Pechora is viewed as not being a significant threat to US forces, due to its age and the technical complexity of American warplanes and the skill of US pilots, the S-125 Pechora is credited with having downed an American stealth F-117 Nighthawk during the US air war over Kosovo—the only instance of any of those advanced stealth planes being lost to enemy fire.
On March 27, 1999, Serb forces commanded by Colonel Zoltán Dani proved that in the battle between low tech and high-tech, the latter is not always the winner. Dani’s forces had innovated a unique method for detecting American stealth planes and using their S-125s to down the alien-looking black triangular warplane that was bombing Serbian military sites. The Serbs employed a unique tactic wherein they modified the radar on their S-125 to integrate infrared (IR) returns.
By employing a variety of unique tactics, the Serbs shot down an American F-117A Nighthawk with their S-125. These techniques are now widely known. Russian and Chinese operators have undoubtedly figured out more sophisticated methods based upon the Serb methodologies, and have probably taught those methods to their partners, such as those in the Venezuelan Armed Forces, now charged with defending Caracas.
Russia’s Playbook Hasn’t Stayed in Europe
There have already been instances wherein the Venezuelans have surprised their American rivals using Russian tactics. For example, Venezuelan forces claimed to have been able to detect US Marine Corps F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth warplanes on approach to Venezuela. It is believed the Venezuelans may have used a technique similar to what the Serbs did to detect the American planes.
Earlier this year, too, two aging F-16 warplanes belonging to the Venezuelan Air Force flew within dangerous proximity to an American warship operating off the Venezuelan coast. The Americans claimed they allowed these planes to get close, assessing that the Venezuelans weren’t crazy enough to attack an American warship.
But there has been chatter that the Venezuelans employed a radar jamming technique that the Russians claim to have used on American warships operating in the Black Sea.
Irrespective of whether the S-125 is not a significant threat to US warplanes tasked with attacking Venezuela, if their operators use similar innovative tactics to what the Serbs employed in 1999 against American stealth planes, the Venezuelans just might surprise the Pentagon.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. Weichert hosts a companion book talk series on Rumble entitled “National Security Talk.” He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, and the Asia Times. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / index74.
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Источник: nationalinterest.org