Indonesia and Russia commenced their inaugural joint naval exercises on Monday, as President Prabowo Subianto seeks to foster stronger ties with Moscow amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Indonesia has steadfastly maintained a neutral foreign policy, skillfully navigating between the Ukraine conflict and the growing rivalry between the United States and China, refusing to take sides despite external pressures.
However, the newly inaugurated Prabowo has vowed to adopt a more assertive stance on the global stage, exemplified by his visit to Moscow in July to engage in high-level discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
The five-day naval drills are set to unfold in two distinct phases, taking place at a strategic naval base in Surabaya and extending into the waters of the Java Sea, highlighting Indonesia’s proactive maritime strategy.
The Indonesian Navy reported that Russia has contributed a significant naval presence, including three corvette-class warships, a medium-sized tanker ship, a military helicopter, and a tugboat, thereby underscoring the seriousness of this collaboration.
Local broadcasters captured the spectacle of Russian ships docking in Indonesian ports, met with ceremonial fanfare, including a welcoming marching band on Sunday, just preceding the start of the drills.
Analysts interpret these joint exercises as a clear indication that Prabowo is initiating a notable foreign policy pivot, committing to bolster Jakarta’s alliances with major global powers, particularly in light of the changing international landscape.
During his pivotal visit to the Kremlin in July, the 73-year-old ex-general Prabowo emphasized his desire to cement a deeper partnership with Russia, stating, “We consider Russia as a great friend and I would like to continue to maintain and enhance this relationship,” in direct discussions with Putin.
While ASEAN, of which Indonesia is a member, held joint exercises with Russia back in 2021, this week’s drills mark the first time Jakarta has engaged in military exercises exclusively with Moscow.
Jakarta has established billion-dollar trade links with Moscow; however, significant arms imports had encountered significant delays in recent years following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the onset of its military operations in Ukraine during 2022.
Nevertheless, since taking on the role of Defence Minister in 2019, Prabowo has persisted in advancing a pivotal $1.1 billion deal for Russian fighter jets, which was agreed upon a year earlier, despite looming threats of U.S. sanctions.
**Interview with Dr. Amelia Hartono, International Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Hartono. Indonesia and Russia have kicked off their first joint naval drills. What does this signify in terms of Indonesia’s foreign policy?
**Dr. Hartono:** Thank you for having me. This joint naval exercise marks a significant shift in Indonesia’s foreign relations strategy. Traditionally, Indonesia has maintained a neutral stance, skillfully balancing its approach to great powers like the US and China. However, with President Prabowo Subianto in office, we see a move toward a more assertive foreign policy—especially through military collaborations like this one with Russia.
**Interviewer:** Interesting point. How do you see this affecting Indonesia’s relationships with other countries, particularly the United States and China?
**Dr. Hartono:** This development is certainly noteworthy. While Indonesia is keen on strengthening ties with Moscow, it may raise concerns in Washington and Beijing. The US may view this as Indonesia leaning towards Russia amidst growing geopolitical conflicts, particularly regarding the Ukraine crisis. However, Indonesia’s intent seems to center on maintaining autonomy in its foreign affairs, which could balance the influence of both superpowers.
**Interviewer:** The drills are taking place in Surabaya and the Java Sea. Why is the location significant?
**Dr. Hartono:** The locations chosen for these drills, particularly Surabaya, are very strategic. Surabaya is one of Indonesia’s main naval bases and sits on vital maritime routes. Conducting exercises in the Java Sea emphasizes Indonesia’s commitment to securing its maritime interests and enhancing its naval capabilities, which is particularly relevant considering rising maritime disputes in the region.
**Interviewer:** With Prabowo’s ambitions for a more proactive global stance, what should we expect next from Indonesia?
**Dr. Hartono:** We can anticipate more military collaborations with various countries, not just Russia. Prabowo’s administration appears poised to pursue strategic alliances that enhance national security without compromising Indonesia’s long-standing principles of non-alignment. Expect increased military exercises, diplomacy on economic cooperation, and potentially an enhanced role in regional security discussions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Hartono, for sharing your insights on this important development.
**Dr. Hartono:** You’re welcome! It’s important to keep an eye on these evolving dynamics as they will shape Indonesia’s future on the global stage.
