President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela had received thousands of Russian-made missiles and rocket launchers to prepare for a possible armed conflict with neighbouring Colombia.

"They are preparing a war against us," Mr Chavez said during a televised address, repeating a claim he has been making for months.

"Preparing is one of the best ways to neutralise it."

Both Colombia and Washington deny having any plans to attack Venezuela, but Mr Chavez argues they are plotting a military offensive against Venezuela.

He said his government was acquiring more weapons as a precaution.

"Thousands of missiles are arriving," Mr Chavez said.

The former paratrooper-turned-president did not specify what type of missiles, but said Venezuela's growing arsenal included Russian-made Igla-1S surface-to-air missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Mr Chavez, who has been feuding with Colombia for months, claims an agreement between Bogota and Washington allowing the US military to increase its presence at seven Colombian military bases poses a threat to his country.

Colombia says the deal is to help it fight the war on drugs and insurgents inside its territory.

Mr Chavez also said Russian tanks, including T-72s, would be arriving "to strengthen our armoured divisions". Venezuela has bought more than £2.4 billion of Russian arms since 2005, including 24 Sukhoi fighter jets, dozens of attack helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles.