Russia has attempted to base some of their long-range military aircrafts at Manuhua Air Force Base in the West Papua region of Indonesia as first outlined by the Janes.

During the peak of the federal election campaign, this breaking news has spread shock and panic through the Australian public.

This isn’t the first collaboration between Indonesia and Russia, with Russia having flown bombers from the base in 2017, and in 2024 Vladimir Putin hosting Indonesia’s defence minister and president at the time in Moscow to lay the groundwork to enhance ties.

Image: Image – Shutterstock –

Produced By: Ruby Platt

Featured In Story: Rory Medcalf – Head of the National Security College, and David Andrews – senior policy advisor National Security College

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 16 April 2025