Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced plans to buy more weapons made in Russia and China to increase the country’s military might, according to RIA Novosti.

“I spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and very soon commissions are to start work to include [to purchase plan] cutting-edge weaponry to reinforce the military and technical equipment and weapons systems of this country,” Maduro was quoted by Noticias24 as saying.

Director General of the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko told RIA Novosti earlier that in the period of 2012 to 2015 Venezuela is expected to become the second-largest importer of Russian weapons, with sales reaching up to $3.2 billion.

In 2005-2009, Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport signed over 30 contracts with Venezuela on weapons supplies.

Venezuela received Russian air defense systems (Antey-2500, Pechora-2M, Buk and Igla) as well as T-72M tanks, Grad and Smerch multiple rocket launcher systems, armored vehicles and artillery.