The Chavez regime spends over USD 2 billion in military equipment...

Vcrisis ^ | 22.02.05 | Ernesto Ecarri

[alekboyd]

The Venezuelan government plans to buy military equipment for USD 2 billion. The exact amount is still unknown, but negotiations are ongoing. The Venezuelan state will pay USD 400 million for 100,000, model AK-103 and AK-104 Russian rifles, according to the Spanish firm Análisis e inteligencia.com.

A similar amount will involve the purchase of 33 choppers. During a visit to Venezuela last November 2004, representatives of Russian exporter Rosoboronexport explained that in 2005, a total of 20 choppers, model MI17B5 and 13, model MI35M (10 assault aircrafts and 3 logistic planes) would be delivered.

[Dog Gone]

Wow, a whole two billion.

[livius]

Also, 4 Spanish corvettes and 6 cargo transport planes, model C-295, would be purchased by Venezuela, according to Madrid newspaper El País.

Initially, this was said to be one corvette and 20 patrol boats. Then when Bono had to testify before the Spanish Parliament about his lightning visit to VZ, it emerged that it was four naval vessels and six aircraft. Bono visited at the last minute in place of the Spanish PM, who was going to go personally to sign the deal but backed off after Colombia protested and went to visit Lula and Kirchner instead.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

"The Venezuelan state will pay USD 400 million for 100,000, model AK-103 and AK-104 Russian rifles,...."

$4000 apiece?

[alekboyd]

Yep.