ISLAMABAD, July 18: Pakistan's naval chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah left Sunday on a 10-day official visit to the United States to explore opportunities to acquire new weapons systems and spares for the Navy, officials said.

Admiral Karimullah was seen off at Islamabad airport by Rear Admiral McDonald of the US Navy, Vice-Admiral Farooq Rashid of the Pakistan Navy and other officials. Official sources said the naval chief would explore new avenues of cooperation with the US after Pakistan was granted the status of a Major Non-Nato Ally.

"He would primarily see what benefits PN can get as an MNNA of the US," an official said. The naval chief will hold discussions about acquiring a number of spares for US-made weapons in the PN arsenal. Among other things, discussions will also be held for acquiring spares for the P3C Orion long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, one official said.

Another official said talks during the visit would also focus on the role of Pakistan Navy in the 10-nation Maritime Coalition Force operating in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan Navy has replaced its frigate PNS Khyber with PNS Tariq in the Maritime Coalition Force and the logistic supplies and requirements of Pakistan Navy as a maritime coalition partner would also come under discussion.

A press release issued by the Naval Headquarters said the naval chief would hold discussions with his US counterparts to further enhance the existing ties, formulate future strategies and to deliberate upon improving the existing cooperation against international terrorism.

It said that as a result of discussions held in September 2003 with Admiral Warren Clark, Chief of US naval operation, Pakistan Navy joined the Maritime Coalition Forces to actively participate in the war against terrorism which was appreciated by all the peace-loving countries of the world.

The visit, the press release said, is taking place on the invitation of Admiral Clark. In the absense of Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Vice Admiral Mohammad Haroon will hold the charge in the navy in his place.