Venezuela Set to Receive Long Range Russia Missiles

Returning from a 10-day tour of Africa, Asia and Europe, including Russia, Chavez is also planning to buy Russian T-72 and T-90. Photo by wordpress.com

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has announced that the country will soon take delivery of Russian missiles with a range of 300 km.

Returning from a 10-day tour of Africa, Asia and Europe, including Russia, Chavez is also planning to buy Russian T-72 and T-90.

"Soon some little rockets are going to be arriving... and they don't fail," he announced at the presidential palace.

But he denied they would be used for offensive purposes, the BBC reported.

"We are not going to attack anybody, these are just defence tools, because we are going to defend our country from any threat, wherever it may come from," Chavez said.

Venezuela is involved in a long-running diplomatic stand-off with neighbouring Colombia, over the latter's plans to allow US troops greater access to its military bases.