‘Deeply troubling’: PM, Dutton respond as Putin moves to use Indonesian air force base

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government had already been engaging with Indonesia “at a senior level” about the Russian government’s request. Marles stressed that Jakarta had not yet responded to Moscow’s request.

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Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described the news as a “very troubling” and “deeply destabilising” development for the region.

Labelling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “murderous dictator” who had illegally invaded Ukraine, Dutton said that “we don’t welcome his presence in our neighbourhood at all”.

Dutton said it would be a “catastrophic failure” of diplomacy if Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were not aware of Moscow’s request before reports emerged in the media.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman David Coleman also said the government must explain what it knew of the “deeply concerning” reports.

“Foreign Minister Penny Wong must explain what knowledge she has of this matter, and what steps have been taken by the government to ensure that Russian aircraft do not have access to bases in our region,” he said.

One of Putin’s most senior officials, Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, travelled to Jakarta in February to meet with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

The visit came after Indonesia conducted its first-ever joint naval drills with Russia in November as part of Prabowo’s push to deepen defence co-operation with Moscow.

Australia’s Defence Department and the Indonesian defence ministry have been contacted for comment.

Matthew Sussex, an expert in Russian strategic policy at the Australian National University, said the prospect of Russian long-range aircraft being based in Indonesia would cause anxiety within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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“Russia is trying to increase its Indo-Pacific military footprint,” Sussex said, adding that Moscow saw an opportunity to drive nations such as Indonesia away from the West following the election of US President Donald Trump.

Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army, said: “If true, this would have very significant political and military implications for Australia.”