Report: Russia is seeking an airbase near Australia for long-range bombers

An explosive report by the England-based open-source intelligence outlet Janes claims that Russia has lodged a request to house long-range bombers and other aircraft at Indonesia’s Manahua Air Force Base in its Papua province. 

It is less than a two-hour flight from Australia, a traditional U.S. ally, according to NTN News. 

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, during discussions with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, categorically confirmed that Indonesia has no intention of allowing Russia to deploy its military aircraft.

Sjamsoeddin, in turn, reportedly issued immediate denials, while the Kremlin has declined to comment beyond labelling it all “fake news.”

The news initially came to light reportedly after a meeting in February between Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoig and Sjamsoeddin. 

Supposedly, Moscow has already made an official request to Indonesia for permission to station long-range aircraft at the Manuhua airbase. However, analysts are doubtful that Indonesia will grant such a request, given the geopolitical risks and its policy of preventing foreign military bases on its territory.

“[Sjamsoeddin] made it unequivocally clear to me that there was no prospect of any Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia, and that the reports of that were just not true,” Marles said, as reported by Bloomberg. 

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for more information regarding Russia’s plans in the Pacific region, as reported by The Guardian.

“We obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region, very clearly. We have a position, which is: we stand with Ukraine,” Albanese said.

The Australian PM also described Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “authoritarian leader who has broken international law, that is attacking the sovereignty of the nation of Ukraine.”

The Biak airbase, which houses Indonesia’s 27th Squadron, conducts surveillance using CN235 aircraft. In recent years, Indonesia has actively participated in military exercises with the U.S., Australia, and China.