The World - News from March 18, 1986

The Reagan Administration said it has told Congress that Indonesia wants to buy up to 12 F-16 jet fighters at a cost of $432 million to help counter growing Soviet might in Southeast Asia. The Pentagon announcement cited a Soviet buildup at Cam Ranh Bay, a major naval base constructed by the United States in Vietnam and later taken over by the Soviets. Under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, the jet sale will go through unless both houses of Congress vote against it within 30 days. The Indonesian air force currently has an interceptor squadron of 15 older, U.S.-made F-5 jets.