STRANGER Items
Additionally, Prabowo wants to improve diplomatic ties with Russia, including in terms of defense. Prabowo, who serves as president-elect and minister of defense, has traveled to Russia four occasions, most recently in July 2024. Sergei Shoigu, the former head of the Soviet security government and former head of Russia’s defense, traveled to Jakarta in February 2025.  ,
According to Janes, Russia requested the use of the atmosphere base on Biak Island both at that appointment or immediately afterward.
There is intriguing evidence that there may be a connection between the new Janes story and the 2017 explore by Russian tactical bombers to Biak.
It was not clear why Indonesia had agreed to host the refueling vision, as previously noted. But, at the time, Russia and Indonesia were negotiating the price of 11 Su-35 fighter jets for US$ 1.14 billion. Russia may have requested access to Manuhau Air Base as part of that agreement ( Vietnam has a similar agreement for naval and air deployments to Cam Ranh Bay ).  ,
The Su-35 agreement was signed in 2018 but fell apart three years later, supposedly as a result of the danger of US restrictions. However, the purchase of Russian warrior jets may now be resumed under Jokowi. Did Moscow push the envelope by offering Indonesia a refund on the plane in exchange for the right to land on Biak?
In the end, it was always unlikely that Indonesia would accept Russia’s ask according to independence issues and Indonesia’s foreign plan principles. However, strange items have occurred.
Ian Storey is a senior colleague at the Yusof Ishak Institute’s ISEAS. This commentary initially appeared on the Fulcrum blog of the Yusof Ishak Institute’s ISEAS- Yusof Ishak Institute.