Australia is seeking answers from Indonesia after reports confirmed that Russia has asked to base military aircraft at an air force facility in eastern Indonesia, near the Australian mainland.
The request was submitted by Russia’s government to Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence following a February meeting between Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, according to Janes, a U.S. military intelligence outlet.
Moscow wants to station long-range aircraft at Manuhua Air Force Base, which is located in Biak, Papua province, and shares a runway with Frans Kaisiepo Airport.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that his government is “seeking further clarification” from Jakarta. Defense Minister Richard Marles confirmed Indonesia has not responded to Russia’s request and said Canberra is in talks with Jakarta “at a senior level.”
Manuhua Air Base is about 1,300 kilometers from Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory. It currently houses Indonesia’s Air Squadron 27, which operates CN235 surveillance planes, and a new Air Wing 9 unit that is not yet equipped with aircraft.
While Russia’s request did not specify how many or which aircraft would be deployed, Janes reports that Russian Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and Il-76 transport planes have landed at the base before.
Indonesia has not made a public statement about the request. Its Ministry of Defence is reportedly reviewing the proposal with other government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indonesia has a history of neutrality in foreign affairs but has grown closer to Russia since President Prabowo Subianto took office in 2024.
If approved, the deployment would give Russia’s military a presence within range of northern Australia. The area is regularly used for joint U.S.-Australian military exercises.
