The government plans to buy a fleet of used jet fighters and training aircraft from New Zealand, and will get 12 new helicopters from Britain and France for its navy, officials said today.

The purchases are part of Malaysia's military upgrading programme, which has been revived after being derailed by the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis.

Defence Minister Najib Razak said the government planned to buy 17 Italian-made Aermacchi jet fighters and trainer aircraft from the New Zealand airforce.

The acquisition will allow it to train more combat pilots for its new fleet of jet fighters including the powerful Sukhoi and MiG-29 from Russia, he said.