Venezuela wants to buy Russian Su-35 jets: Chavez

"I have already sent a statement to the government of Russia that we are ready to consider buying in the next few years Su-35 fighters to modernize and enhance our defense powers," Venezuela's national radio quoted Chavez as saying on Thursday.

    Chavez added that the issues of security, defense and the development of the country are among top priorities of his government.

"This independence, the well protected and guaranteed one, will give us a possibility to build new Venezuela, new Fatherland and to reach new horizons," he said.

The Sukhoi Su-35 is a single-seat and twin-engine super maneuverable multirole fighter that could use both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.

Last month, Venezuela unveiled its first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), dubbed Arpia-001 (Harpy-001), which has been built in cooperation with Iranian experts in order to strengthen the South American state's defensive power.

Chavez said that the drone has both military and civilian applications, noting that the UAV has been produced in a way that could be used for non-military operations.

The United Sates expresses concern about the rising level of ties between Tehran and Caracas.