The Arzamas Machine-building Plant in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region shipped the first consignment of 12 BTR-80A armored personnel carriers and spare parts to Indonesia on 15 October. Indonesian technical specialists were scheduled to visit the plant in the near future, to learn how to use and service the vehicles. This would be followed by an Arzamas staff visit to Indonesia. Indonesia has been contemplating ordering 50 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles and 50 BTR-80A armored personnel carriers since 1997. The 30 PT-76s and 32 BTR-50s that the Indonesian Marines have are of limited use, having grown "long in the tooth" some time ago. - Adam Geibel