The 1970s and 1980s saw a considerable increase in capacity, mainly because the rising oil prices enabled the FAV to re-equip most of its units.

Venezuela was one of the first export customers for the F-16, which arrived in 1983 for the newly formed Grupo Aéreo de Caza 16 at El Libertador Airbase.

FAV units at El Libertador Air Base under the command of Brigadier General Visconti seized control of the airbase and then launched an attack on the capital.

[5] The AMV purchased 24 Sukhoi Su-30 planes from Russia in July 2006, as a result of the United States embargo on spare parts for their F-16 force.

[9] In 2010, the Venezuelan Air Force retired their aging F-5 fleet, the Hongdu JL-8 taking its place after being received earlier that year.