Bolivia Asks for 100 Million USD from Russia to Buy Presidential Jetliner

Bolivia officially addressed to Russia with a request to provide a 100-million-dollar loan, the nation’s Defense Minister Walker San Miguel Rodriguez said. The money, the minister added, would be used to modernize the outdated military hardware in Bolivia and to purchase a presidential jetliner. The credit terms will be determined as soon as Russia gives its answer. It is worthy of note that Russia already gave a loan to Cuba last week.

Photo: Bolivia Asks for 100 Million USD from Russia to Buy Presidential Jetliner

Bolivia Asks for 100 Million USD from Russia to Buy Presidential Jetliner

“It does not go about any arms race or a threat to any country. It goes about the normal replacement of military hardware. The government of Bolivia addressed to Russia with a request to provide a loan of $100 million for the modernization of Bolivian armed forces,” the defense minister said in an interview with a local radio station.

The loan from Russia will give Bolivia an opportunity to replace the outdated hardware, which has been used in the nation during the recent 20 years. In addition, the country intends to acquire the An-148 jetliner as a presidential plane. The cost of the liner will make up about $30 million, Itar-Tass news agency reports.

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev visited Bolivia in February of this year. The leaders of the two countries signed a number of agreements in the field of energy and defense industries, as well as in the struggle against drug trafficking.

Last week, Russia gave a 150-million-dollar loan to Cuba. The funds will be used to pay contracts for the export of Russian construction and agricultural machinery.