Indonesia and Russia commenced their first joint naval exercises, reported the Indonesian Navy on X on November 3.
Indonesian President Prabowo, inaugurated recently, visited Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin in July.
During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing preparation of an agreement to establish a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia and measures to increase Russian participation in the Indonesian economy as well as support for Russian airline Aeroflot to initiate direct flights to Bali Island.
The five-day exercises, organized in two phases, will be conducted at a naval base in Surabaya and in the Java Sea.
Russia deployed three corvette-class warships, a medium-sized tanker, a military helicopter, and a tugboat for the exercises, according to a statement from the Indonesian Navy.
While Russian vessels arrived in port on Sunday, they were greeted by an Indonesian marching band as a welcome gesture ahead of the exercises.
Analysts suggest these drills reflect Prabowo’s ambitions for a foreign policy pivot, aiming to broaden Indonesia’s strategic alliances with global powers.
During his Kremlin visit in July, Prabowo expressed a strong commitment to deepening relations with Russia, telling Putin, “We consider Russia as a great friend, and I would like to continue to maintain and enhance this relationship.”
Earlier, Russia relocated vessels from its Black Sea Fleet in response to Ukrainian naval drone strikes.
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