The United States Is Concerned About the Presence of Russian Kh-31 Anti-Ship Missiles in Venezuela

The US military is concerned about the presence of Russian Kh-31 anti-ship missiles in Venezuela.

The War Zone reported on this.

These supersonic missiles pose a danger to US Navy ships operating off the Venezuelan coast.

The Kh-31 missiles are equipped with Su-30MK2 fighter jets, which in the amount of 24 units Venezuela ordered from Russia in the 2000s. Most of them are still in service.

The missiles are produced in two versions: anti-radar Kh-31P and anti-ship Kh-31A.

The American media notes that it is not yet known for certain whether Venezuela received the anti-ship version of the missile from Russia.

At the same time, anti-radar missiles of this type also threaten US ships because of their ability to target working radar.

It is noted that the Venezuelan authorities recently released a video of their Su-30s flying with Kh-31 missiles off the coast of the country in response to Donald Trump’s sending US Navy ships to the Caribbean.

At the end of September, it was announced that the United States military had amassed forces and resources near Venezuela to ensure the landing of the Marines.

Kh-31A

In terms of performance, the Kh-31A has a maximum range of 70 to 160 kilometers, depending on launch conditions and specific missile modifications. It reaches a speed of up to 3.5 Mach. It uses an active radar homing head for targeting.

The Kh-31A is designed to engage warships of various classes, up to and including destroyers, as well as amphibious and transport vessels sailing alone or in convoys.

Target destruction is achieved by detonating the warhead after penetration into the hull in case of a direct hit or by fragmentation and high-explosive effect when the missile flies over the target.