Australia puts Indonesia on notice about prospect of Russian air base

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Indonesia about a report that Russia has asked to base aircraft in Indonesian Papua.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government has asked Indonesia about a report in defense publication Janes that Russia has requested basing military aircraft in Indonesian Papua, as the issue dominated Australia's election campaign Tuesday.

“We obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region,” Albanese told reporters.

Janes reported that Jakarta has received an official request from Moscow, seeking permission for Russian aerospace forces (VKS) aircraft to be based at a facility in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.

The province is about 1,200 km (746 miles) north of the Australian city of Darwin, where a U.S. Marine Corps rotational force is based for six months of the year, and Australian air bases are being upgraded to host visiting U.S. bombers.

Australia is “seeking further clarification” with Indonesia about the report, Albanese said, adding Canberra has a good relationship with Jakarta.