Australia

Russia's Reported Indonesia Base Request Sparks Australian Concerns

APR 15 2025·Updated APR 17 2025

Story

Above: A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter prepares to take off during Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Feb. 11, 2025. Image credit: Arun Sankar/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Military website Janes reported that Moscow officially requested permission to base Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft at Indonesia's Manuhua Air Force Base in Papua, approximately 1,300 kilometers from Darwin, Australia.
Default
ABC
Nt
The reported request followed a February meeting between Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, though specific aircraft types were not detailed in the request.
Default
Guardian
The Sydney Morning Herald
Indonesia and Russia have strengthened military ties recently, conducting their first bilateral naval exercise in November 2024, following President Prabowo Subianto's election.
Politico
Daily Mail
ABC
The base in question, Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor, currently hosts Indonesia's Aviation Squadron 27 and the newly established 9th Air Wing.
Default
Bulgarian Military Industry Review
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed opposition to Russian influence in the region while maintaining that Australia's relationship with Indonesia "has never been better."
7NEWS
ABC
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles later stated that his Indonesian counterpart assured him that reports of Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia were "simply not true."
7NEWS
SBS News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The potential Russian military presence in Indonesia would pose a dangerous and serious strategic threat to Australia's northern defense perimeter, enabling surveillance of US-Australian military activities and compromising regional security arrangements.

The Conversation

The Sydney Morning Herald

Narrative B

Indonesia maintains its commitment to non-alignment and the constitutional prohibition of foreign military bases while continuing to develop balanced relationships with various international partners through defense cooperation and joint exercises. Australia has no need for concern.

ABC

Guardian