TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Laos Defense Minister expressed an interest to make another purchase of weapons produced by state-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad, as stated by the company’s export vice president Ridi Djajakusuma.

"We have delivered presentation to Laos Defense Ministry to reintroduce Pindad’s products. They are really interested to make another purchase of Pindad weapons. They are interested in short rifles and ammunition," he said in Vientiane, Laos.

PT Pindad is one of the companies taking part in 2017 Trade and Tourism Fair held in Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Vientiane to commemorate 60 years of Indonesia-Laos bilateral cooperation.

Ridi said that Indonesia and Laos have maintained close-knit military cooperation. Since 2014, Laos Defense Ministry has purchased Pindad weapons including 60 G2 Combat pistols, 35 SS1 V2, 35 SS1 V4, and ammunition.

On the meeting with the ministry (21/9), they planned to purchase G2 Elite pistols, Sniper rifles, and ammunition, Ridi revealed. Furthermore, Laos Prime Minister will visit Indonesia on October and visit PT Pindad.

In addition, 27 Laos soldiers are currently taking training in Indonesia provided by Group 1 Special Forces (Kopassus) to prepare for The ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) in 2017 in Singapura.They like Pindad products, Ridi continued, because since they purchased and used the products, they once placed third in ARRM held in Thailand.

ANTARA