WASHINGTON, July 21: Taking advantage of a goodwill visit to the United States by its naval chief, Pakistan is exploring possibilities for acquiring new weapon systems and spares for its navy, officials said on Wednesday.

Naval Chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah met senior officials of the US state and defence departments on Wednesday as part of a 10-day visit to the United States. "The visit is not about acquiring weapons but in a visit of this nature, this issue is always raised," said a senior defence official at the Pakistan Embassy.

Adm Karimullah arrived in Washington on Sunday for a "counterpart visit" on the invitation of the US Chief of Naval Operations Adm Vern Clark. "It is an extensive visit, which allows both sides to discuss a wide-range of subjects but obviously the focus is on defence cooperation," said a US official who did not want to be identified.

Diplomatic sources in Washington say that the Pakistani delegation is particularly keen on exploring the benefits of being a major non-Nato ally. The designation forbids Washington from imposing defence-related restrictions on such an ally but it does not necessary allow access to US weapons.

The Pakistan Navy is trying for sometime to acquire spares for the P3C Orion long-range maritime surveillance aircraft it had purchased from the United States. Pakistan is also seeking a greater role in the 10-nation Maritime Coalition Force operating in the Arabian Sea.

In its discussions with the Pentagon officials, the Pakistani delegation also inquired what naval equipment Islamabad could acquire as a maritime coalition partner, diplomatic sources said.

Pakistan joined the maritime coalition force in September 2003, agreeing not to allow terror suspects to use its waters for carrying out attacks against allied nations, particularly the United States. Both sides want the Pakistan Navy to play a greater role in the war against terrorism, the sources said.