Indonesia has embarked on a new chapter in its foreign relations as the country conducts its first joint military drills with Russia. This development comes shortly after President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration, marking a proactive shift in Jakarta’s long-standing neutral foreign policy.
Joint Exercises in the Java Sea
The naval forces of Indonesia and Russia began their exercises in the Java Sea on 4 November 2024, according to reports from the Indonesian Navy. The drills are taking place near Surabaya and are expected to run until 8 November.
- Three Russian corvette-class warships will participate.
- A medium tanker, military helicopter, and tugboat are also involved.
A New Direction for Indonesia’s Foreign Policy
Prabowo Subianto, having previously served as Defence Minister, has articulated a vision of strengthening ties with multiple nations—regardless of geopolitical affiliations.
According to Pieter Pandie from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, this strategy aims to elevate Indonesia’s standing globally.
During a visit to Moscow in July, Prabowo described Russia as a “great friend” and expressed his interest in deepening this relationship. This marks a significant change, as Indonesia has long resisted aligning too closely with any one power.
Significance of the Drills
The drills are particularly noteworthy as they underscore Indonesia’s willingness to collaborate with nations across the geopolitical spectrum. They also serve practical purposes:
- Knowledge exchange between the two navies.
- Capacity building for Indonesian military forces using Russian military equipment.
Despite prior Western pressures, Jakarta has maintained its course—refusing to disinvite Russia from the 2022 G20 summit and keeping alive multi-billion dollar military agreements.
Reactions from the International Community
While the United States has focused on diplomatically isolating Russia, analysts like Yohanes Sulaiman question the overall strategy of Prabowo’s administration.
The U.S. embassy in Jakarta has yet to comment on the joint exercises, raising eyebrows about how these developments might affect international relations.
This engagement with Russia signals a potential new era of military partnerships for Indonesia—one where acknowledging diverse global connections could become a key aspect of its foreign policy.