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 has pledged more funds to help state aircraft manufacturer Indonesian Aerospace, especially to make its 19-seat N219 light twin turboprop aircraft an export success.
Malaysia has shifted its ambitions to seeking additional, secondhand Boeing F/A-18s Hornets, putting off a long-standing requirement for advanced new aircraft until the 2020s.
