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MOSCOW (BNS): Venezuela will purchase additional 100 T-72 main battle tanks as part of a $4 billion loan secured by the oil-rich country in 2011 to buy Russian weaponry, a news report said.

According to Kommersant newspaper, in March Russia had completed delivery of 92 modernized T-72B1V MBTs, the Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems and other military equipment to Venezuela under a separate $2.2 billion loan secured in 2010.

Venezuela is a leading importer of Russian arms. Between 2005 and 2007, Caracas signed $4 billion worth of arms deals with Russia to buy Sukhoi fighter jets, combat helicopters, and small arms, it said.