U.S. eyes lucrative Asia defense mart

U.S. eyes lucrative Asia defense mart

SINGAPORE (Reuter): United States companies will take part in Singapore's Asia Defense trade show next month as they try to step up their presence in the rapidly growing regional arms market, a United States official said yesterday.

Top defense officials from up to 13 countries including China, Japan and India will take part in a parallel Jan. 15-17 conference, organizers told a news briefing.

"I don't think they would come here if they do not see a commercial advantage," U.S. embassy spokesman Michael Anderson said when asked about the presence of U.S. companies.

Many Southeast Asian countries have beefed up their arsenals over the past few years. Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand bought U.S.-made F-16 fighter-bombers while Malaysia has MIG-29 planes in its air force.