ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: Pakistan’s defence ministry said on Thursday it would discuss arms purchases from the United States this month but denied a report that Washington had offered a $9 billion package.

A defence ministry statement said the Defence Consultative Group, made up of senior defence officials from the two countries, would meet in Washington this month.

“Pakistan will discuss among other things, acquisitions of arms and equipment with the USA in the forthcoming meeting,” it said. “But the purchases will be in accordance with our needs and resources.”

“The reported amount of $9 billion is a huge sum of money which a country like Pakistan with multiple other issues cannot set aside for only defence purchases.”

The ministry statement said Pakistan would never become involved in an arms race in the region and would purchase only those arms necessary to maintain a strategic balance “and which we can afford to buy”.

India is trying to close a deal with Israel worth more than $1bn for an airborne early warning radar system. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is due in India on Sunday and officials say the two sides could sign the contract for the sale of three Phalcon radar systems during the trip.

India on Wednesday also said it would buy Hawk trainer jets from Britain in a $1.7bn deal.—Reuters