A Russian base in Indonesia? Should Australia be concerned?

President Prabowo Subianto (second right) holding a bilateral meeting with Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov at the State Palace in Jakarta in this handout picture taken and released on April 15 by the Palace. - AFP

JAKARTA: A news report that Russia has sought to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia caught Australia’s political leaders by surprise during an already hectic election campaign.

The military publication Janes reported on Tuesday (April 15) that Russia had requested permission for its aircraft to be based at the Manuhua Air Force Base in Papua. The base is just 1,300km away from Darwin, Australia.