Russian Navy increases reach in drills with world’s biggest Muslim country

A group of Russian warships continued its deployment in the strategic Indo-Pacific region as it arrived in Indonesia for the first bilateral maritime exercise between the two navies.

This was the third stop of the Russian flotilla, sent by the country’s Pacific Fleet, during its long-distance deployment, which commenced in early October. It visited Malaysia’s port of George Town on October 14 and Myanmar’s port of Thilawa for drills a week later.

Indonesia is home to 242 million Muslims, more than any other country. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, a region where Russia continued to deepen its cooperation, including maritime issues, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Prabowo Subianto, the newly inaugurated Indonesian president, previously told Newsweek that Russia and Ukraine “must first cease killing each other” in order to find a negotiated solution. He visited Moscow in July and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We consider Russia as a great friend,” he vowed that his government, which officially took office last month, would continue to maintain and enhance its relations with Russia, saying: “Russia has always helped us in many aspects when we were in difficulties.”

“Indonesia chooses the path of free and active non-alignment. We do not wish to join any military pacts,” he said in a speech after being sworn in as the new president. “We adhere to the ancient philosophy that a thousand friends are too few, but one enemy is too many.”

According to the Russian Embassy in Indonesia, corvettes Gromky, Rezky, and Hero of Russia Aldar Tsydenzhapov, as well as support vessel Pechenga, arrived on a friendly call at the port of Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, the second-largest city in Indonesia, on Sunday.

Orruda-2024, the first Russia-Indonesia naval exercise, started the following day. It consisted of a base phase and a sea phase that were held in Surabaya and the Java Sea.

“The contacts between the navies of our countries are a natural part of Russia-Indonesia relations,” said Sergei Tolchenov, the Russian ambassador to Indonesia. Russia has sent warships to Indonesia before, but it was the first time they organized a naval exercise.

Reuters reported that, citing the Indonesian navy, the exercise aimed at improving the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Russia. Tolchenov claimed that the exercise was not aimed at any country and could “ensure security and stability in the region.”

Pieter Pandie, researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia, told the Agence France-Presse news agency that Jakarta’s broader agenda is that it would elevate ties with whomever it may be as long as there is a benefit for the country.

Meanwhile, Indonesia and Australia on Sunday began their largest joint military activity in recent years, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday, where 2,000 military personnel from the two neighboring countries were taking part in Indonesia.