Jakarta – Indonesia said on Friday it was considering buying air defence systems and fighter planes from Russia.

"We had sent a team to Russia to see military equipment. The team has reported to me and said equipment from Russia can be used. There is no problem on technology and capabilities," Planning Minister Ginanjar Kartasasmita told reporters after he met with President Suharto.

"The president sees a need to build air defence systems for use in the 21st century. The system includes radars, missiles and fighter planes," Ginanjar said.

Ginanjar said the plan was not linked with the government's cancellation of a plan to buy F-16 fighters from the United States.

"President Yeltsin of Russia had sent an envoy to Jakarta in February to offer military equipment. President Suharto asked me to study the offer. That was far before the president (Suharto) sent a letter to President Clinton to cancel the F-16 purchase," he said.

"We look to Russia because we don't want to get our equipment only from one source. So it is not because of the cancellation."

Indonesia on June 6 ended participation in an American military training programme and cancelled plans to buy nine F-16 warplanes.