Closer to China: Russia wants to lease an Indonesian air base
Russia has filed an official request with the Indonesian authorities to transfer the Manuhua military airbase, located near the city of Biak Numfor in the province of Papua, to its disposal. This base is located near the northern coast of New Guinea and in close proximity to Australia.
Here's What We Know
According to Janes, the initiative came after a February meeting between Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafri Sjamsoeddin.
Prior to that, Russian long-range aircraft, including Il-76 and Tu-95, had already received permission to land at the base several times. Now, Moscow is likely seeking to turn Manuhua into a permanent stronghold for its strategic forces in the region. The details of the request have not yet been disclosed, but given Russia's past actions, it is logical to assume that it is about deploying long-range aircraft.
The 27th Squadron of the Indonesian Air Force with CN235 reconnaissance aircraft is currently based at the airbase, as well as the newly created 9th Air Wing, which does not yet have any equipment. The base shares a runway with the civilian Frans Kaisiepo Airport, which adds to its strategic flexibility.
A Tu-95 strategic bomber-rocket carrier. Illustration: Wikipedia
Assessing Moscow's motives, Defense Express believes that this is not so much an attempt to return to imperial geopolitics as it is a desire to secure an outpost in a potential major war in the Asia-Pacific region - presumably on the side of China. The geography of the Manuhua base allows it to literally "hang over" the northern approaches to Australia, threatening Western allies.
The complex history of relations between Moscow and Jakarta should also be taken into account. The Soviet Union lost its influence in Indonesia after the 1965 coup, and in February 2022, Indonesia finally refused to buy Russian Su-35S in favour of French Rafale.
At the same time, in January 2025, Indonesia joined the BRICS bloc and remains a user of Russian aircraft - it still has Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft of several modifications in its arsenal.
This potential move by the Russian Federation could dramatically change the balance of power in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as complicate the situation of Australia, Japan and the United States, especially against the backdrop of growing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.
Source: Janes
