РУССКИЙ
11:01 18.04.2025 •
Jakarta has received an official request from Moscow, seeking permission for Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aircraft to be based at a facility in Indonesia's easternmost province, military site ‘Janes’ informs.
The province is about 1,200 km (746 miles) north of the Australian city of Darwin, where a U.S. Marine Corps rotational force is based for six months of the year, and Australian air bases are being upgraded to host visiting U.S. bombers.
Separate sources from the Indonesian government have confirmed with Janes that the request was received by the office of Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin following his meeting with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu in February 2025.
In the request, Russia seeks to base several long-range aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base, which shares a runway with the Frans Kaisiepo Airport, documents that have been presented to Janes reveal.
The airbase is situated in Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua, and it is home to the Indonesian Air Force's Aviation Squadron 27, which operates a fleet of CN235 surveillance aircraft.
It is also home to the Indonesian Air Force's newly established 9th Air Wing, which has yet to be assigned with aircraft types.
In the request, no details were given regarding the number of airframes or types of aircraft that the VKS intends to deploy at Biak Numfor.
However, Janes understands that over the past few years, the VKS has made several ad hoc requests to land its Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and Il-76 airlifters at the very same airbase.
Some of these requests have been acceded to by the Indonesian Air Force.
A file photo of a Tupolev Tu-95 bomber, which is one of the aircraft types that Russia may be looking to deploy out of Indonesia.
Photo: ‘Janes’
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government has asked Indonesia about a report in defense publication Janes that Russia has requested basing military aircraft in Indonesian Papua, as the issue dominated Australia's election campaign.
“We obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region,” Albanese told reporters, NBC New quotes.
Janes reported that Jakarta has received an official request from Moscow, seeking permission for Russian aerospace forces (VKS) aircraft to be based at a facility in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.
Australia is “seeking further clarification” with Indonesia about the report, Albanese said, adding Canberra has a good relationship with Jakarta.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles has spoken to his Indonesian counterpart who said there would be no Russian air force planes based in Indonesia, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Moscow is planning to approach Indonesia for an air base in the country’s Papua region after stepping up defence ties with Myanmar and Bangladesh, it was learnt. The Russian Air Force may place its long-range bombers in Papua province located closer to the Pacific region, writes ‘India Times’.
India had earlier suggested that Moscow increase its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean and ASEAN to make the region inclusive. Since the Ukraine war and sanctions, Russia has expanded its economic engagements across Asia, including the ASEAN region. Being the largest economy in ASEAN, Indonesia has been one of Moscow’s key partners in SE Asia.
Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Roy Soemirat said the ministry has not heard of the report.
…Rumors, rumors, rumors… There is no smoke without fire…
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