MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday following a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart in Moscow that weapons sold to the Latin American state were only to improve its defense capability.

"Military-technical cooperation between Russia and Venezuela is transparent and performed in accordance with international norms," Sergei Lavrov said after his meeting with Nicolas Maduro. "It is conducted to complete one task - strengthening the defense capability of Venezuela."

In September, Russia agreed to provide Vemezuela with a $1 billion loan so that Caracas could buy TOR-M1 air defense systems, Igla-S portable SAM systems, Il-78 aerial tankers and Il-76 military cargo aircraft.

Between 2005 and 2007 Russia signed 12 contracts worth more than $4.4 billion to supply arms to Venezuela, including fighter jets, helicopters and Kalashnikov assault rifles.

Russia exports arms to about 80 countries. Venezuela is among its biggest customers, along with China, India, Algeria, Iran, Malaysia and Serbia.