Indonesia Needs 60 Medium-Range Missiles

Beijing, Aug 26 (Antara) - Visiting Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin affirmed that his country needed some 60 medium-range missiles for its navy`s fast missile boats. "Indonesia still needs some 60 medium-range C-705 missiles for its navy`s fast missile boats," Sjamsoeddin stated here on Tuesday. He noted that the C-705 missiles, developed from the C-704 missiles, were firstly introduced to the public during the 7th Zhuhai Airshow in 2008. In comparison with the previous generation, the C-705 missile has several improvements such as in its warhead and guidance system. Sjamsoeddin pointed out that the C-705 missile incorporates a modular design in its new engine that provides a second-stage option to further increase its range to 170 kilometers as compared to its earlier reach of 80 kilometers. Indonesia and China have jointly agreed to cooperate in the development of their defense industry, including the joint production of the C-705 medium-range missiles and the transfer of technology. "With this cooperation, in the long run, we can produce it ourselves instead of buying all of them," the deputy defense minister remarked.