KL interested in S. Africa weapons

KL interested in S. Africa weapons

JOHANNESBURG (UPI): Malaysia is interested in buying South
African weapons and is particularly impressed by the Rooivalk
attack helicopter, visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad said on Wednesday.

"South Africa has a lot of original technology which we are
interested in," Mahathir said in Cape Town after a meeting with
South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.

Mahathir said he was impressed with the Rooivalk -- Afrikaans
for Red Falcon -- helicopter, which despite being highly rated by
defense experts has yet to find an international buyer.

The visiting prime minister told the South African Press
Association the only problems concerning the Rooivalk was whether
his country could afford the estimated US$5 million price tag for
each helicopter and whether Malaysia's purchase of such a
helicopter would make its neighbors nervous and spark a regional
arms race.