Air exercise with New Zealand

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The air forces of Indonesia and New Zealand will hold a joint exercise in Medan, North Sumatra, next month, the Antara news agency reported.

Director of Exercise of the Air Force's Second Operational Command, Commodore Koesbeni said that the joint exercise, code named Elang Seberang, will involve around 150 personnel from both sides. Indonesia will deploy its fleets of F-16s and F-5s.

The Indonesian air force previously conducted joint exercises with counterparts from Australia and Malaysia.

Koesbeni said that besides promoting cordial relations between the two countries, these exercises are also useful in sharpening the capability and professionalism of the services. (emb)