Analyst Warns Against Dismissing Concerns About a Possible Russian Air Base in Indonesia

‘It’s unlikely Indonesia would agree to a Russian base, but it’s very likely they’d allow Russian aircraft to use facilities,' said Michael Shoebridge.

A crew member stands onboard the Russian Navy corvette "Gromkiy" docked at North Jamrud pier of Tanjung Perak port for a 5-day joint military exercise between Indonesia and Russia, in Surabaya on Nov. 4, 2024. Juni Kriswanto/AFP via Getty Images

Australian Labor ministers should not be too quick to dismiss rumblings of Russian aircraft being based in the Pacific region, cautions one defence analyst.

In mid-April, well-known defence and intelligence publication Janes alleged that Russia had contacted the Indonesian government to seek permission to house long-range aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base, around 1,300 kilometres north of Australia’s Darwin.