Russia's weapons sales agreements with Venezuela currently amount to USD 4 billion, and Moscow expects doubling or trebling such amount over the next few years, Monday said Serguei Ladiguin, an official with Russian state arms exporting agency Rosoboronexport.

With Venezuela "we have initialed agreements for USD 4 billion and we can say that, at least, we are to double or treble this sum," the official told Russian television from Caracas, where is taking part in Venezuela-Russia bilateral cooperation meetings, Efe reported.

Ladiguin stressed that Russia and Venezuela are now drafting supply agreements for warships, warplanes and helicopter gunships, as well as a wide range of weapons for the Army, said Interfax.

He reminded that Moscow is actually supplying to Venezuela Su-30 warplanes, different types of helicopter gunships and cargo choppers, as well as Kalashnikov rifles. Further, Russia in building three military manufacturing facilities in Venezuela, namely, one Kalashnikov manufacturing plant, one ammo plant and one helicopter maintenance and repair plant.

Over the last few years, Venezuela has made significant weapon purchases from Russia, including 24 Su-30MK warplanes, 50 helicopter gunships and cargo choppers, Tor-M1 anti-aircraft defense systems, and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles.

Ladiguin confirmed that Rosoboronexport has an interest in consolidating its position in the Latin American marketplace.

"We do believe our company can offer a lot to Latin America, particularly in transferring certain technologies and supplying a number of equipment, not only military items."