Russia confident that Venezuela is buying subs

Venezuela is mulling over purchase of up to 10 missile-carrier submarines of Project 636 and a number of anti-aircraft missile systems Tor-M1, said Konstantin Makienko, from the Russian Center of Strategy Analysis and Technology, the Ria Novosti news agency reported.

"Venezuela is most likely buying five missile-carrier submarines of Project 636," the expert hinted. "This is a more solid an argument than submarines equipped with conventional weaponry. But Venezuela could eventually buy nine submarines."

He added that the likely acquisition of submarines amounts to only one portion of the transaction, as Venezuela would not limit purchases to submarines only.

According to Makienko, who quoted sources in the Russian military industry, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez -who is visiting Russia later this month- is also interested in purchasing land-based anti-ship missiles and anti-aircraft defense systems.

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