CARACAS, Feb. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Venezuela on Tuesday received the first three Russian military helicopters purchased by President Hugo Chavez's government in a broad arms deal between the two countries.

    The three MI-17s were the first of 15 military helicopters to be delivered to Venezuela under two contracts worth some 200 million U.S. dollars, Venezuela's Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia said.

    The helicopters will be used to safeguard the country's sovereignty and protect the areas of its 2,200 km-long border with Colombia, which have come under frequent attacks by guerrillas, said Maniglia.

    The helicopters will also reinforce the capacities of the military to combat drug dealers, he said, adding that they can also be used in social programs such as disaster relief operations.

    Besides the helicopters, Venezuela also signed deals with Russia last year to purchase 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles to replaceaging weapons of the country's armed forces.

    Venezuela's purchase of weapons has aroused concern in Washington, which feared the weapons may end up in the hands of Colombian guerrillas or other militant groups.

    Venezuela has denounced Washington's opposition to its weapon deals as an "interference in its internal affairs." Enditem