MALAYSIA, INDONESIA PLAN TO COOPERATE ON DEFENCE INDUSTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Indonesia are discussing the
possibility of cooperating in developing the defence industries of both
countries including in the manufacturing and purchase of military assets.

Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the cooperation was
expected to boost further the capacity of joint military operations between the
two countries besides creating a diplomatic platform in terms of the military
aspects.

"We are still discussing how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the
defence industry pertaining to armoured vehicles, Maintenance Repair and
Overhaul (MRO) for the assets of the air force, as well as the possibility of
cooperating in the production of weapons.

"Indonesia and Malaysia have their respective expertise in the defence
industry, thus, if this cooperation can be achieved and later expanded to the
Asean nations, it will be a good start for the asset industry and the defence
equipment industry," he said after receiving a courtesy call by Indonesian
Defence Minister Prof Dr Ir Purnomo Yusgiantoro, here Wednesday.

The courtesy call on Ahmad Zahid at Defence Ministry was in conjunction with
the 38th Meeting of the Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee (GBC)
scheduled for tomorrow aimed at forging closer military diplomatic relations
between the two countries.



Ahmad Zahid said throughout the meeting, both countries also discussed
cooperation that could be forged between National Defence University of Malaysia
and the Indonesian Defence University.

He said Malaysia could send several former generals to the Indonesian
university while Indonesia could reciprocate by sending its experts in the
fields of defence and strategy for mutual benefits.

On the intention to acquire Indonesian-made Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS),
the minister said the proposal had to be studied before a decision could be
made, and now, a report on the price and specifications offered was being
completed.

"A technical team had made a visit to Bandung and they are now preparing a
report to compare the price and specifications offered by Indonesia and those
offered by other countries," he added.

--BERNAMA