ISLAMABAD, July 14: The United States will buy from Pakistan small arms and ammunition for Iraq and Afghanistan. Official sources told Dawn that US defence authorities had certified small arms and ammunition produced in Pakistan as meeting international standards and specifications.

The US government needed small arms and light equipment for Iraq and Afghanistan. "And they (Americans) have expressed their willingness to buy various kinds of weapons from Pakistan," the sources said.

They pointed out that the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) and its 14 allied plants were manufacturing quality weapons which were being purchased by a number of developed countries, including France and Germany.

As soon as the government received formal orders from the United States, they said, the arms and ammunitions would be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. The sources also disclosed that a separate understanding had been reached with France and China to start joint ventures in the defence field.

The POF authorities would soon be giving a presentation in the French embassy to defence officials of that country for undertaking joint ventures. The Giat company of France, they pointed out, had expressed its willingness to buy different kinds of weapons manufactured in Pakistan for sale in Africa.

Since Pakistani products meet international quality standards and manufacturers have received a number of ISO certifications, France wants Pakistan to manufacture some arms and ammunition on its behalf.

"We expect a good business with France," the sources said, adding that France was looking for exporting these arms to its former colonies in Africa. In this regard a Pakistani defence delegation recently visited France and worked out a deal which is expected to be signed soon."

Pakistan, they said, was also looking for transfer of technology from France by manufacturing arms for it. "We have been assured of a good joint collaboration, the sources said.

Similarly, they said, a fresh understanding had been reached with China to enter into new joint ventures for developing small arms. He expressed the hope that France and China would share defence technologies with Pakistan for manufacturing new arms and ammunition.

The POF, the sources said, was hoping for 100 per cent increase in export orders from Asian, European, African, North American and Latin American countries. In this regard, they said, the year 2005 would be very significant when a number of export orders were likely to materialize.