Russians say Chavez will have most powerful air force in Latin America

Russian military aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has announced a billion-dollar deal to sell Venezuela 24 high-performance Su-30MK2 fighter jets, the quasi-official RIA-Novosti agency reports.

The sale will give Hugo Chavez the most advanced air force in Latin America, according to the report, issued in Russian and Spanish. Europe's EADS CASA is providing Chavez with advanced transport planes to allow the regime to mobilize troops and supplies throughout the country and abroad.

The Su-30MK2 is an advanced multi-role fighter, at least a generation ahead of other combat aircraft in South America.

"Just a couple years ago, we could never dream about selling combat aircraft to Latin America, with the exception of Peru and Cuba that have them from Soviet times," says Ruslan Rukhov, director of the Russian Center for Strategic and Technological Analysis. Rukhov calls the Venezuela sale "a historic advance."