Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has asked Russia today for help in maintaining the country’s fleet of Russian planes.

The prime minister met the Russian president tonight in a bilateral talk at the sidelines of the Asean Summit 2018 here, where he also mentioned the trade situation and the Syrian civil war.

“As you know, we have bought a number of Russian aircrafts,” Dr Mahathir told Vladimir Putin through a translator.

“And I think we need to learn more about how to maintain and repair the aircraft.”

In July, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu had revealed that only four out of 28 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MKM and MiG-29 fighter jets owned by the Royal Malaysian Air Force can fly.

Putin had earlier praised the trade relation between the two countries, which has seen a rise of over 60 per cent in the first eight months.

“Relations between Russia and Malaysia have been developing and we have been doing quite well.

“A lot more can still be done and I think a lot more could have been done during the previous years,” Putin said through his translator, when commencing the talk.

“Our trade is quite good but we can do better,” Dr Mahathir replied.