Russian firm OAO Kazan sold three military transportation helicopters to a Venezuelan delegation currently in Russia, as part of an agreement the two nations initialed last March 10, AP reported.

The Mi-17 choppers are the first three out of 10 the Russian company is scheduled to sell to Venezuela under a USD 120 million agreement, Interfax said.

In June, Venezuela signed a USD 81 million sales agreement for other five Mi-17 helicopters.

Last Friday, brigadier general Raúl Isaías Baduel, Venezuelan Army commander, ensured that the first three Russian choppers are to start operations in the first quarter of 2006 in Venezuela. They expect the other seven aircrafts to be delivered before year's end.

Further, in May, Russia and Venezuela signed an agreement for the purchase of 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles.