July 13, 2002	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1423

KUWAIT CITY, July 12: A delegation from the Kuwaiti Defence Ministry was in Moscow to discuss acquiring weapons, including Smerch multi-launch rocket systems, BMP Combat infantry vehicles, and II-76 cargo planes, sources said.

The 18-member delegation, headed by Gen Hamad Al Qallaf, was expected to strike a deal with Russian Rosoboronexport, the state arms exporting agency, sources added.

The sources said that the Kuwaiti delegation would have a complete discussion on acquiring Smerch, BMP-2, BMP-3 and the aircraft, before they decide if the weapons would be useful for Kuwait.

Kuwait was the first foreign country to buy the Smerch system, receiving 27 of the launchers between 1995 and 1996, and it was looking at the upgraded version of the Smerch, whose firing range has been increased from 40 to 90 kilometres, sources added.

The delegation departed for Russia on July 1, to take part in the third Russian arms exhibition.