CARACAS, February 19. /TASS/. Venezuela should start producing its own weapons systems to defend the country, President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday.

"We need our own weapons systems for the existing concept of national security," Maduro said. He added that Venezuela possesses "a good weapons system for defense," including missile defense systems.

Russia has been the main arms exporter for Venezuela since 2006 when the relations between Caracas and Washington deteriorated. In May 2006 the US condemned Venezuela for "insufficient cooperation in the fight against terrorism" and introduced an embargo on weapons and military equipment.