(AFP) Malaysia will soon take delivery of Russian-made anti-tank cruise missiles and may exchange its older US Hornet fighter jets for newer models, reported Bernama today.

An official of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport told Bernama the Malaysian airforce had signed an agreement to buy the Metis-M missiles which can destroy tanks and other armoured carriers from a distance of one kilometre.

"We signed the agreement in May and the system will be delivered soon," he told Bernama at the Lima international defence exhibition in Langkawi.

The agreement provided for the possibility of joint production of the missiles, he said without elaborating.

Meanwhile, US aircraft maker Boeing has offered to replace eight of Malaysia's F/A-18 D Hornet jets with its new F/A-18 E (single seater) and F (twin seater) models.

Super hornets

Anthony M Parasida, Boeing's vice president of F/A-18 Programme Military Aircraft et Missile Systems, said the newer E/F version has longer operational range, more fuel and pay load and improved cockpit features.

If Malaysia takes up the offer, its airforce would eventually have 16 to 24 up-to-date Super Hornets, he told Bernama at the exhibition.

The six-day Lima 2001, which began Tuesday, was hit by last minute withdrawals because of increased tension around the world but has still drawn some 600 exhibitors from 26 countries.