Islamabad, Sep 01: The United States has offered sale of arms worth nine billion US dollars to Pakistan to help it shore up its defence capability, official sources said today. They said Pakistan has compiled its arms and spares shopping list after the US made the offer. A five-day meeting of Pak-US military consultative commission has also been called in Washington to discuss the arms deal, the sources were quoted as saying by Pakistan daily 'The News'.

Besides a list of vision devices, missiles and Radars, Pakistan's bid for purchase of 40 F-16 aircraft and upgrading of existing F-16 fleet are also on the agenda of the Washington meeting. The Pakistan delegation led by defence secretary Lt Gen Hamid Nawaz (Retd) will also discuss arms and equipment purchase for its navy and airforce with their US counterparts. The two sides would also discuss training opportunities for Pak military officials in the US and consider joint military exercises, the report said. The delegation will leave for the US by the end of next week.

Bureau Report