RI, Russia exploring possibility of cooperating in defence technology

"It`s a new opportunity that we are trying to explore. But it`s not yet a structured scheme," Suyanto said here on Thursday.

The TNI Chief said that Russia had promised to extend a soft loan worth US$1 billion or about Rp9.4 trillion to improve the capability and capacity of Indonesia`s military.

The funds would be used to buy strategic equipment and weapons needed by the Indonesian military, he said.

The Indonesian Army needed to buy Mi-35 and Mi-17 personnel carrier helicopters . The Indonesian Navy needed to procure two Kilo Class-type submarines and 20 amphibious tanks, while the Indonesian Air Force planned to purchase weapons for six Sukhoi jet fighters.