TNI may shop arms from China

TNI may shop arms from China

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military is looking to China as its alternative arms supplier apart from the United States, its chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Thursday.

"We do not rely on one supplier, especially after we have been experiencing an embargo for the past few years." Endriartono said after a meeting with Chinese defense minister Chi Hoatian at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

He said arms purchase from China looked possible thanks to the close military ties between the two countries.

Endriartono, however, warned that arms shopping from China would depend much on the state budget, which would not only cover the purchase but also maintenance and operation of the weaponry. -- Antara