Indonesia has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that Russia plans to establish a military base at the Manuhua Air Force Base in Papua. In August 2019, Moscow issued an official invitation for the tactical deployment of Russian aircraft as close as 1,200 kilometers from Darwin, Australia. This was the basis of the dismissal, as reported by Janes. The military relations between both countries are growing ever stronger. The looming signing of a FTA adds a new dimension, prompting questions about what the development means for regional security.
The Kremlin has declined to address the details of the Janes report. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted the special relationship between Russia and Indonesia. For one, he took on the most urgent topic of misinformation. Here’s what we know: There’s tremendous fake news out there, including in the media. This extends to guidance materials on other sensitive issues.
Diplomatic Engagements and Military Cooperation
Russian and Indonesian officials have been in talks to bolster military relations for a number of years. Both countries conducted naval exercises in the Java Sea towards the end of last year. This reflects their deep commitment to improving state-federal defense cooperation. Diplomats from both Jakarta and Moscow have been active in encouraging this relationship, as demonstrated by recent meetings and visits.
Sergei Tolchenov, Moscow’s ambassador to Jakarta, said military cooperation is an important element of the overall bilateral relations. He continued with an observation, “Commerce, diplomacy and above all the military technical enjoy quiet very much.” This declaration further highlights the deeper intricacies and tactical subtleties defining their relationships.
In a recent communication, Indonesia’s embassy in Moscow highlighted a meeting with Russian officials through a post on the encrypted messaging service Telegram, concluding with: “We see that our Indonesian partners accept our arguments.” These types of exchanges reflect the desire on both sides to engage in these conversations while avoiding the landmines of discussing, and critiquing, armed military operations.
Reactions from Indonesian Officials
Indonesian officials have bluntly rejected any suggestion that Russia would be allowed to establish a military presence on Indonesian territory. This reaction is in the wake of the release of the Janes report. Indonesia’s envoy to Moscow, Wahid Supriyadi, vehemently insisted that the establishment of a military base “is impossible.” He underscored constitutional principles that are contrary to such hotheaded steps in Southeast Asia. This policy declaration is indicative of Indonesia’s determination to assert an independent foreign policy in the face of significant regional pressures.
The possibility of a Russian military base in Southeast Asia has been the subject of speculation in recent years. Indonesia has reasons to be wary—both historical and aspirational—of being caught too much under the thumb of any one power. This reluctance appears as the United States is boosting its own military presence in the region, a move that Russia has decried previously.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia is not a new thing, with such history stretching several years back. Russia started conducting patrol missions with nuclear-capable bombers from the newly built Manuhua Air Force Base in 2017. In practice, these missions were viewed as intelligence-gathering exercises. This fraught history further complicates ongoing conversations about deepening military ties and possible future bilateral military engagements.
Additionally, as Russia has sought to counterbalance U.S. influence in the region, it has become more mindful of Southeast Asia’s geopolitical landscape. The most recent of these business summits was held earlier this week. It inarguably proves the commitment and hard work of both nations to consolidate their relation with each other in multiple sectors.
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