2 weeks Ago By Matthew Knott
Australian officials are investigating reports that Russia has lodged an official request to base several long-range aircraft in Indonesia, just 1300 kilometres away from the Australian mainland. Moscow and Jakarta have rapidly deepened their military ties since Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto came to power last October, raising alarm bells in Canberra. The respected reported on Tuesday that Moscow had sought permission for Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft to be based at a facility in Indonesia’s easternmost province.
The Russian request reportedly seeks to base several long-range aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua. The base, which is home to the Indonesian Air Force’s Aviation Squadron 27, is 1300 kilometres from Darwin. “The Indonesian Ministry of Defence is now in consultations with policymakers from other government departments including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with regards to how to proceed with the official request, but has yet to issue an official acknowledgement of this request,” reported.
One of Vladimir Putin’s most senior officials, Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, travelled to Jakarta in February to meet with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The visit came after Indonesia conducted its first-ever joint naval drills with Russia in November as part of Prabowo’s push to deepen ties to Moscow. Australia’s Defence Department and the Indonesian defence ministry have been contacted for comment.
Matthew Sussex, an expert in Russian strategic policy at the Australian National University, said the prospect of Russian long-range aircraft being based in Indonesia would “cause conniptions” within the Department of Foreign Affairs. “Russia is trying to increase its Indo-Pacific military footprint,” Sussex said, adding that Moscow saw an opportunity to drive nations such as Indonesia away from the West following the election of US President Donald Trump. Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army, said: “If true, this would have very significant political and military implications for Australia.
” Indonesia officially joined the Russia-led BRICS grouping in January..
