The Australian government is seeking “clarification” following reports Russia has lodged a request to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia, said prime minister Anthony Albanese.
US military website Jane reported today that Russia had officially requested to base aircraft on the Indonesian province of Papua, which is just 1300km away from Darwin on Australia’s mainland.
Russia president Vladimir Putin is reportedly seeking to base the aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in Papua.
“What we’re seeking is proper clarification that’s the way you deal with international relations, making sure you’re not flying from the hip,” Albanese said.
Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed earlier that Indonesia has not yet responded to Russia.
“We have a very close relationship with Indonesia and we have a growing defence relationship with Indonesia, we have already been engaged with [Indonesia] on this request,” Marles said.
“At this point Indonesia has not responded to this request.
“We will continue to engage with Indonesia in a way that befits this friendship.”
Marles said Australia is in contact with Indonesia’s defence ministry on a “senior level”.
“We have seen increasing cooperation with Australia and Indonesia at a defence level and I expect all that to continue,” he added.
Jane reported the Indonesian Ministry of Defence is in “consultation with policymakers from other government departments” over how to deal with this request.
It comes after Russian official Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, travelled to Jakarta in February this year to meet with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson David Coleman said in a statement the reports are “deeply concerning”.
”The basing of Russian aircraft in Indonesia would be highly destabilising to the security of the Indo-Pacific region,” Coleman told The Sydney Morning Herald.
