👉 The Bolivian Missiles, also known as the "La Vela" system, were a series of anti-ship ballistic missile submarines developed by Bolivia in the 1980s and 1990s. These submarines were designed to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union's SSBNs (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles) and were intended to protect Bolivia's coast from potential naval attacks. The system consisted of two types of missiles: the "Vela" (Watch) class, which were surface-launched cruise missiles capable of reaching the coast, and the "Chacaltaya" (Chacaltaya) class, which were more advanced SSBNs equipped with nuclear-tipped missiles. Despite initial promise, the project faced significant challenges, including funding issues, technical difficulties, and international pressure, leading to its eventual cancellation in the early 2000s. Bolivia has since shifted focus towards other defense and energy projects.
