Venezuela's Military Gets 3 Russian Copters

CARACAS, Venezuela - Three Russian-made transport helicopters arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday as part of a broader arms deal between the two nations, Venezuela's defense minister said.

Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia said the three helicopters were the first of 15 to be delivered under two contracts worth a total of $201 million signed last year.

Russia and Venezuela also signed a contract in May for 100,000 Russian-made Kalashnikov rifles, a deal that drew criticism from the U.S. government over concerns that the guns could fall into the hands of leftist rebels in neighboring Colombia or other groups.

Washington sees Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as a destabilizing force in Latin America, and U.S. officials have said the arms purchase is unnecessary.

Maniglia said none of the weapons would leave Venezuela.

"We are not buying weaponry for exportation," Maniglia said. "We are buying materiel that can help us in the day-to-day war: the war against drug trafficking, fighting illegal activities on the sea and protecting the country's borders."

Venezuela and neighboring Colombia — the world's top cocaine producer — share a porous 1,400-mile border, which runs across steep mountains and thick, tropical jungle.

Chavez has said that Venezuela needs assault rifles to defend itself against a possible U.S. invasion. Washington has denied Chavez's accusations of a plan to overthrow him.