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 signed a $77 million contract with Norwegian manufacturer Kongsberg to supply the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System medium range air defense system.
Malaysian private aviation company Sapura Aero has taken delivery of an MD Helicopters MD 600N, the first helicopter without a tail rotor to be operated in Southeast Asia.