The two countries are deepening ties, which will come as a relief to Australia after rumours of Russia seeking to establish a marine base in Indonesia.
Australia is to spend $15 million over four years to “enhance maritime cooperation” with Indonesia, including an annual official-level dialogue on maritime issues.
What that means is both nations will be working more closely together to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific in the face of increased aggression from the CCP and reported interest from Russia to base military aircraft in Indonesia’s easternmost province.
Although Indonesian officials denied an approach to base the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aircraft at Manuhua Air Force Base, the report did originate from respected military journal Janes, which stood by its story, saying it had seen the documents sent to the office of Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
Sjamsoeddin had met with the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu in February 2025.
When Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed in Indonesia on his first overseas visit since being appointed for his second term only days earlier, cementing the relationship…
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