The Russian-made surface-to-air defense missile system Pechora-2M will protect oil refineries in Venezuela, said the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) based in Moscow.

The defense minister of Venezuela, Gen. Henry Rangel Silva, has ingaurated the new Pechora air base near the international airport "Josefa Camejo".

According to CAWAT, the new Pechora air base will have the task to protect the largest country's oif refinery. In 2008, Venezuela ordered 11 batteries of Pechora-2M, three of these air defense systems were delivered in 2011.

The Pechora-2M is an upgraded version of the Pechora (SA-3 Goa) low-altitude surface-to-air missile system. The modernized system features a longer range (up to 27 kilometers), an increased kill probability, better resistance to jamming, and the ability to engage multiple targets, including cruise missiles.

A battery of Pechora-2M includes up to eight launchers vehicles with two guided missiles, a radar, control and power plant units.