Indonesia is considering jointly producing short-range missiles with China, the defence minister said, while expressing hope that Washington would further ease restrictions on military-to-military ties.

Juwono Sudarsono said all but four of Indonesia's F-16 fighter planes have been grounded since the United States cut military contacts with Jakarta six years ago, describing that as barely enough "to provide an adequate deterrent force."

He said he was fairly optimistic the US Congress would soon make it possible for Indonesia to get the spare parts required to repair five or six of its grounded planes.

In the meantime, Indonesia is considering jointly producing short-range missiles with China after 2009 that "we hope will be able to support our military defences," he said in an interview.

Full Story