Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Endriartono Sutarto said on Monday that he hoped Russia could help Indonesia in transforming its defense industry.

The request was made during a meeting with Deputy Commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Sergei Avramenko, at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Antara news agency reported.

Avramenko's visit was to follow up on an agreement between Indonesia and Russia to improve defense cooperation.

Earlier, Avramenko said that the Russian Navy was ready to help the Indonesian Navy improve its capabilities by holding joint exercises.

Avramenko is in charge of the visit by five Russian warships --the Varyag,( a missile cruiser), the Panteleev and Admiral Tributs,(both anti-submarine warfare ships), and the Pechenga and Kalar ( both fleet auxiliaries).

The ships, the first to pay such a visit since 1968 to Indonesia, are moored at Tanjung Priok Naval Base until Nov. 2.

Indonesian military forces are currently facing an arms embargo by the United States and the United Kingdom for rights violations in its former province of East Timor.

Indonesia is currently seeking other sources of weaponry -- such as from Russia -- to alleviate the embargo's effects. It is also seeking to develop its own defense industry.

Source: Xinhua