Marhalim Abas, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, covers Southeast Asian defense. He has worked as a journalist specializing in Southeast Asia defense and security since 1994, initially with the New Straits Times newspaper.
Indonesia is considering the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-16V, industry sources say, with the Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale also considered likely candidates.
Jakarta is behind in its contributions to KF-X, known in Indonesia as IF-X, and the finance ministry refused to authorize a payment due at the end of 2017. Photo: Cpl. Casey Gaul/Australian Defense Department
