A spokesman for information and library at the Pekanbaru airbase, Major Sus Dede Nasrudin, said here on Sunday the joint execise was an annual routine program of the two countries.

This year`s exercise was codenamed Elang Thainesia XVI, he said.

It was reported that the Indonesian Air Force would use five Bae Hawk type 100/2000 jet fighters during the exercise.

The Indonesian Air Force in the exercise was led Commander Col. Dody Trisunu.

In the meantime, the RTAF was reported to use six Alfa jetfighters of Squadron 231 from the Udon Thani airbase in Thailand with Suthipong Inseeyong acting as deputy director of RTAF operation.

"The joint operational execise is to be conducted in various ways like simulation of firing from air and patrol in the area of Riau," he said.

The joint exercise will take place from October 20 to 31, 2008.(Source : antara)