Australian radio and television broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said that Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles talked about this subject with his Indonesian equivalent of Sjafrim Sjamsoeddin. According to Marles, the Australian diplomat made it clear that No Russian military aircraft will be stationed on the territory of Indonesia. – He [Sjamsoeddin] He told me very clearly that the voices about the possibility of starting Russian aircraft from Indonesian territory are untrue – said the minister.
Papua [najbardziej wysunięta na wschód prowincja w Indonezji] is located about 1200 km north of the Australian city of Darwin, in which For six months a year, the United States Marine Corps are stationed. At the same time, Australia is modernizing its airlines to be able to accept American strategic bombers.
Turn towards Russia
Earlier, Janes's defense magazine informed about possible military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia. In one of the articles, he claimed that Moscow is interested in access to the Manuhua air base at Biak Numfor [w Papui]in which she could locate her long -range aircraft. These voices caused anxiety in Australia – aircraft stationed in this base would be able to reach its territory. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government expected explanations from Jakarta regarding the alleged Russian request.
Traditionally, Indonesia warned the policy of neutrality and maintained military cooperation with various countries, including Australia. Since Prabowo Subianto took the presidential authority in this country in 2024, However, the country's defense policy vector began to move towards closer cooperation with Russia.
Even before the official taking over the office, Prabowo visited Moscow, where he had talks with Vladimir Putin. During the meeting he called Russia “A great friend of Indonesia” And he expressed a desire to deepen bilateral relations in the field of defense, energy and education.
In November 2024, Indonesia and Russia conducted the first joint maritime exercises in the waters off the coast of Jawa [wyspy w Azji Południowo-Wschodniej]. In February 2025, Prabowo accepted Sergei Szojg, secretary of the Russian Security Council of the Russian Federation in Jakart. Politicians discussed the topic of further development of military cooperation, including the possibility of organizing new joint exercises and potential supplies of Russian weapons.
