KL checks budget for arms wish list<\/p>\n
MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur is in the market for an airborne early
\nwarning system, surface vessels and tactical communications
\nequipment but must determine its budget first, defense minister
\nNajib Razak said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
"Our shopping list is quite extensive. No defense ministry has
\na small shopping list," Najib told a news conference to publicize
\nthe biennial Defense Services Asia exhibition to be held in Kuala
\nLumpur next week.<\/p>\n
Other items Malaysia wants include all types of vehicles and
\nadditional firepower, Najib said, without giving more detail.<\/p>\n
Asked on Malaysia's plan to buy 18 F\/A-18E\/F Super Hornets
\nfrom Boeing, Najib said there had been no decision yet.<\/p>\n
"It's still under consideration but we cannot make any
\nstatement at this stage," he said, citing the cost involved and
\nconstraints imposed by the wider national budget.<\/p>\n
The New Straits Times daily reported last year that the Boeing
\ndeal, if all options were exercised, could cost as much as US$1.5
\nbillion, although the U.S. firm might offset it with industrial
\ncollaboration programs.<\/p>\n
Malaysia is already paying $1 billion over five years until
\n2008 for 18 Russian Sukoi Su-30MKM aircraft and spare parts, with
\n30 percent of it due by 2005. -- Reuters<\/p>",
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