Venezuela
to Buy Russian Weaponry Worth $2 Billion
MOSCOW (RIA
Novosti) — Venezuela is planning to conclude several contracts
with Russia on the purchase of military equipment worth at least
$2 billion, a leading Russian business daily said.
Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez is expected to pay an official visit
to Moscow at the end of July to conclude the necessary agreements
with Russia’s new President Dmitry Medvedev, who earlier pledged
to maintain close military cooperation with Caracas, the Kommersant
newspaper reported.
Oil-rich
Venezuela is a major purchaser of Russian weapons and hardware.
In 2005-2006, Venezuela ordered weaponry from Russia worth
$3.4 billion, including 24 Su-30MK2V Flanker fighters, Tor-M1
air defense missile systems, Mi-17B multi-role helicopters,
Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopters and Mi-26 Halo heavy transport
helicopters.
Russia has
repeatedly stated that it will actively participate in the
modernization of the Venezuelan armed forces until 2013.
Kommersant
said negotiations were underway on the purchase of 10 Il-76
Candid military transport planes and two Il-78-MK aerial tankers
for the Venezuelan Air Force. The contract will be worth a
total of $600 million.
Deliveries
will be completed next year. The aircraft will replace six
outdated American Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport planes
and two Boeing 707-320C aerial tankers.
Venezuela
and Russia have also agreed on the purchase of four Kilo-class
Project 636 diesel submarines. The terms of the deal, estimated
at $1.2 billion, were negotiated late last year.
The Project
636 submarine is designed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface-ship
warfare, and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions.
It is considered to be one of the quietest diesel submarines
in the world.
In addition,
Caracas has expressed an interest in purchasing Mi-28NE Night
Hunter attack helicopters.
Kommersant
said Venezuela may buy at least 10 Night Hunters for a total
of $200 million, with delivery beginning in the second half
of 2009.
The advanced
Mi-28N helicopters were inducted into the Russian Air Force
last September. The first four aircraft will join the Russian
Air Force in 2009 after additional testing.