Defence Minister Richard Marles has affirmed that he has been in communication with Indonesia’s Defence Minister, HE Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who firmly denied any plans for Russian aircraft to be stationed at Indonesian military bases. Marles made this announcement during an interview on Today, following a report suggesting that Russia had requested to base long-range planes at a site just 1,300 kilometres from Darwin.
Marles relayed Sjamsoeddin’s categoric dismissal of the claims regarding Russian aircraft, stating that the Indonesian government has no intention of accommodating such requests. In response to earlier reports from the US military publication Janes, which stated that Russia sought to base aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base in Papua, Marles reiterated the strong stance of the Indonesian government.
The potential of Russian military presence in Indonesia has stirred political discussions in Australia, prompting Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to question Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about his awareness of the situation. In a rebuttal, Marles labelled Dutton’s claims relating to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as misleading, stressing the importance of accuracy in political discourse.
Marles expressed his concern over Dutton’s actions in misrepresenting statements attributed to President Prabowo, deeming it "dangerous" for an opposing leader to misquote a foreign head of state. Furthermore, despite the surge of speculation, the Australian government has maintained a level of discretion regarding any potential request from Russia concerning a military base in Indonesia.
Throughout the interview, Marles was pressed by Today host Karl Stefanovic for clarity on whether any official requests had indeed been made by Russia. However, he opted to refrain from disclosing specifics, while acknowledging Russia’s active engagement in the region. Marles emphasised that discussions and perspectives on international relations, particularly regarding Indonesia, should be handled carefully.
Prime Minister Albanese also addressed the situation, asserting that Australia’s relationship with Indonesia is stronger than ever. He underscored Indonesia’s sovereignty and reiterated that the dynamics between Indonesia and Russia differ significantly from those between Australia and Indonesia. As the political landscape evolves, this incident continues to draw attention amidst broader geopolitical considerations in the region.