Caracas, July 25 (EFE) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged that his government will strengthen the nation's military might, while alleging that the US is trying to turn Colombia into an 'Israel' in the neighbourhood.

'What is important is to continue strengthening the republic's military power,' Chavez said at an official ceremony broadcast live on all radio and television stations Friday.

A day before, he had announced intentions to double the number of tank battalions and said that those plans have been officially communicated to the Russian government, the principal supplier of arms to Venezuela since Washington cut off military sales to Caracas.

Caracas has in the last few years purchased from Russia 100,000 combat rifles, 24 Sukhoi-30 fighter-bombers and 50 helicopters.

'It is necessary to increase our defensive power' in the wake of the developments in the neighbourhood, Chavez said, referring to the accord between Washington and Bogota that would allow the permanent stationing of US military personnel at four Colombian military bases.