MOSCOW (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez will seek to buy Russian diesel submarines, mobile missile systems and tanks, this week during a trip aimed at boosting trade, Russian media reported on Monday.
A self-styled socialist revolutionary who frequently baitsthe United States, Chavez has made regular visits to Russia,the world's second biggest oil exporter, and praised Moscow forstanding up to Washington.
Chavez, who has used revenues from record oil prices tostock up on Russian and Chinese military hardware, will arrivein Moscow early on Tuesday and is expected to meet PresidentDmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The Venezuelan leader was originally expected in Moscow onMonday evening but postponed his arrival until Tuesday earlymorning, a diplomatic source said. No reason was given.
"VERY MODERN, FAST TANKS"
The Venezuelan Embassy in Moscow refused to respond torequests for information about the visit but Russian media saidChavez's shopping list included 20 TOR-M1 air defence systemsand several diesel-powered submarines for a total of more than$1 billion (500 million pounds).
Venezuela is seeking loans from Russian banks, partly tofund arms purchases, while some of Russia's biggest companies-- including Gazprom, LUKOIL, TNK-BP and Russian Railways --are interested in boosting trade with the OPEC member.
Chavez told Itar-Tass news agency he wanted to buy Russiantanks during the visit: "These are very modern, fast tanks," hesaid. Chavez also told Tass he wanted to discuss the creationof a joint investment fund.
"During the visit to Russia by Venezuelan President H.Chavez, new contacts to deliver Russian arms and militaryequipment could be signed," the Interfax news agency quoted anunidentified source in Russia's defence sector as saying.
Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport declined tocomment on the reports.
Chavez, a former soldier, is a vocal critic of what hecalls U.S. imperialism. Washington considers him a danger toLatin American stability in and has urged Russia to rethinkweapons sales to Caracas.
Last month Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said hewas looking forward to Chavez's visit.
In his former post as president, Putin hosted Chavez's lastvisit to Moscow in June 2007. During that trip, Chavez calledPutin "brother" but the Kremlin kept him at arm's length andavoided endorsing his more extreme positions.
Washington says Chavez's military build-up coulddestabilise Latin America. Tensions remain high betweenVenezuela and neighbouring Colombia, a close U.S. ally, whichaccuses Chavez of helping Marxist insurgents fight the Bogotagovernment.
Russia is seeking to boost arms exports to Latin America assome of its traditional customers, such as India, expressconcerns over late deliveries and price rises. Algeria earlierthis year sent back 15 MiG warplanes, citing quality problems.
Local media said Russia is offering Venezuela coastaldefence systems, warships, patrol aircraft and Kilo-classdiesel submarines. Venezuela has already purchased Sukhoifighter jets, 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles anddozens of helicopters from Russia.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Matthew Jones)
