<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian government is seeking "clarification" following reports Russia has lodged a request to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia, said prime minister Anthony Albanese.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>US military website </span><a href="https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/indonesia-mulls-options-after-russia-seeks-access-to-air-force-base" rel="" target="_blank" title="Jane"><span>Jane</span></a><span> reported today that Russia had officially requested to base aircraft on the Indonesian province of Papua, which is just 1300km away from Darwin on Australia's mainland.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Russia president Vladimir Putin is reportedly seeking to base the aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in Papua.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/climate-anxiety-what-is-it-rising-tide-protester-alexa-stuart/eb8f9558-3e00-4060-9a6b-2ca0afabc48e" target="_blank" title="Alexa, 21, has been grappling with 'climate anxiety' since she was a teen"><strong><span>Alexa, 21, has been grappling with 'climate anxiety' since she was a teen</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What we're seeking is proper clarification that's the way you deal with international relations, making sure you're not flying from the hip," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed earlier that Indonesia has not yet responded to Russia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have a very close relationship with Indonesia and we have a growing defence relationship with Indonesia, we have already been engaged with [Indonesia] on this request," Marles said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/russian-request-for-long-range-aircraft-indonesia-defence-minister-richard-marles-response/e7a29274-eff8-4cfe-9797-52aaaeebb759" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"At this point Indonesia has not responded to this request.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We will continue to engage with Indonesia in a way that befits this friendship."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Marles said Australia is in contact with Indonesia's defence ministry on a "senior level".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have seen increasing cooperation with Australia and Indonesia at a defence level and I expect all that to continue," he added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jane reported the Indonesian Ministry of Defence is in "consultation with policymakers from other government departments" over how to deal with this request.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-labor-and-coalition-housing-policies-explained-expert-commentary/413d9d4e-1774-403a-a106-36919fc1b0c9" target="_blank" title="Tiny home deposits or $50k super: Experts reveal the real winner"><strong><span>Tiny home deposits or $50k super: Experts reveal the real winner</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It comes after Russian official Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, travelled to Jakarta in February this year to meet with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson David Coleman said in a statement the reports are "deeply concerning".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The basing of Russian aircraft in Indonesia would be highly destabilising to the security of the Indo-Pacific region," Coleman told </span><em><span>The Sydney Morning Herald</span></em><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div 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