2 weeks Ago By Peter Angelopoulos
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought access to an Indonesian airforce base that would embed Russian long-range aircraft within 1300kms of Australia. Login or signup to continue reading Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on April 15 the federal government was "ascertaining having a look at those reports as the foreign and defence ministers have said we have a good relationship with our friends in Indonesia and we're seeking further clarification". It follows reports by Janes that Jakarta had received an official request from Moscow for Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) long-range aircraft to be based at the Manuhua Air Force Base.
It shares a runway with the commercial Frans Kaisiepo Airport in the eastern province of Papua. Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the reports suggested a "catastrophic failure of diplomatic relations if Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese didn't have forewarning about this before it was made public". "This is a very, very troubling development and suggestion that somehow Russia would have some of their assets based in Indonesia only a short distance from, obviously, the north of our country.
"We need to make sure that the government explains exactly what has happened here," he said on the campaign trail in Melbourne. The airbase is the headquarters of the Indonesian Air Force's Aviation Squadron 27 which operates a fleet of CN235 surveillance aircraft, Janes said. The move follows a February 25 meeting in Jakarta between Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Indonesia's defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
READ MORE: 'No comment' as Russian ambassador mysteriously departs Australia ACM has contacted Defence. ACM's national digital news editor based in Melbourne is a reporter with more than two decades experience in senior editorial leadership roles across Asia at Reuters and NewsCorp. Reach out at peter.
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ACM's national digital news editor based in Melbourne is a reporter with more than two decades experience in senior editorial leadership roles across Asia at Reuters and NewsCorp. Reach out at peter.angelopoulos@austcommunitymedia.
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