Malaysia signs deal to buy two RI planes

Malaysia signs deal to buy two RI planes

The Malaysian government on Wednesday inked a deal to buy two Indonesian transport aircraft worth US$34.2 million.

Malaysian Defense Minister Najib Razak signed the contract between the government and PT Dirgantara Indonesia to purchase the CN 235-220M airplanes, bringing to eight the total number of Indonesian aircraft currently used by the military.

"These aircraft will be used for troop transport, paratroop dropping, medical evacuation, cargo and logistics, as well as transportation of V.I.P.'s," Najib told reporters after the signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

"The first aircraft is expected to be received by July 2004, and the second aircraft on December, 2004 ... but we hope it will be earlier than that," he said.

Najib said the purchases were not to further beef up the military's defense capabilities, but would serve to "augment our logistical support".

In August, Malaysia announced it planned to buy 48 tanks and 14 support vehicles from Poland, with the first tanks to be delivered about a year later.

The government has this year already ordered British and Russian missile systems worth 364 million dollars, agreed to buy its first three submarines from France, and is considering a deal to buy Russian Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets. -- DPA