The Venezuelan government showed for the first time part of the weapons purchased in Moscow in recent years. Between 2005 and 2007, Caracas signed contracts to buy weapons for over 4,000 million dollars to buy in Russian Sukhoi jets, combat helicopters and guns, among others.
In addition, aided by a loan of 2,200 million dollars granted by Moscow, Venezuela also commissioned in 2010 to Russia T-72 tanks and an unspecified number of anti-aircraft defence missiles S-300.
In the parade of the Bicentennial of Independence, held in Caracas, Venezuela could see several battalions of T-72 and BMP-3 tanks, Dragunov rifles, anti-missile systems and vehicles for transporting troops, everything purchased in Russia.
“Thanks to Russia, its government and support, today we do have a real Armed Forces Navy!,” wrote President Hugo Chavez in his social network account on Twitter.
Source: Daily El Universo
