IAF chief to visit Indonesia

New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will pay a four-day visit to Indonesia starting Sunday, it was announced Friday.

The visit is aimed at consolidating "the already robust bilateral military to military ties between India and Indonesia", an official statement said.

The air chief will meet Indonesia's Air Chief Marshal Bagus Putu Dunia at the Air Headquarters where he will be extended a ceremonial reception.

He will also call on Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and discuss bilateral issues.

Air Chief Marshal Raha will visit air force bases at Halim, Bandung and Bali.

A visit is planned to PT Dirgantara, one of the indigenous aerospace companies in Asia with core competence in aircraft Design and Development, aircraft structure manufacturing, aircraft assembly and aircraft services for both civilian and military of light and medium aircraft.

"The visit (will) bridge gaps in laying a foundation for a long lasting defence relations between India and Indonesia," the statement said.