Description: Indonesia’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Frega Wenas has dismissed speculations that Indonesia has received an official request from Russia to host an aircraft base in Papua. Reports were initially published by the defense magazine Janes after which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requested an official response from the Indonesian government as Australia would strenuously object any kind of Russian presence or influence in the region. The situation was further aggravated with the scheduled visit by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on Tuesday, 15 Apr, which raised concerns within Australia’s high ranking government officials. Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister stated that Russian presence of any kind would be considered as a significant threat and treated adequately.
Impact: Tensions between Indonesia and Australia abruptly surged after the alleged proposal for hosting of a Russian aircraft base. Reactions from Australia’s highly ranked government officials envisage the elevated tensions in the region mostly caused by constant Chinese naval presence. Russia’s move to place its Deputy Foreign Minister in Indonesia at a time when the report was published could be considered as indirect diplomatic pressure in support of their closest ally, China. The ever-sensitive Indo – Pacific theater has recently experienced escalating tensions between China and key US allies in the region such as the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan. Australia would most certainly raise the level of military preparedness in face of continuous Chinese threats and increase its influence in key strategic security points such as Indonesia.