Prospects of Indosesian and Russian Maritime Defence Cooperation

Indonesia, which has tens of thousands of islands and archipelagos, has been known for hundreds of years as a maritime country. Indonesia’s geographical position in the tropics, located at the crossroads between two continents (Asia and Australia), and two oceans (Indian and Pacific), certainly has economic potential and presents strategic opportunities related to the development of the marine industry which, if explored, can become a national economic strength. 

The commitment of the Indonesian government to the development of the maritime sector, which is manifested in the Indonesian programme as the global maritime fulcrum and the sea toll programme, ultimately has a direct impact on the optimisation of the national marine industry continuously, which in turn will provide new opportunities as a sector that contributes to economic growth and national marine development.

Indonesia’s current defence minister and president-elect for the 2024-2029 period, Prabowo Subianto, has stated that strengthening the ranks of the navy, especially the navy fleet, is very possible. This is supported by the advanced technology of submarines from various countries which will later cooperate with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence.

Furthermore, the Indonesian government also appreciates the support of the Russian Federation, which continues to build upon its intensive defence cooperation with Indonesia. In the Asia-Pacific region, Russia is perceived as an important partner for Indonesia. In fact, defence cooperation between the two countries, both multilateral and bilateral, has been well-established for years.

On the sidelines of the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (10th ADMM Plus) 2023 in Jakarta, Defence Minister Prabowo expressed his gratitude for Russia’s support and contribution to the ratification of the draft Joint Statement by ADMM-Plus on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) for adoption at the 10th ADMM-Plus as one of the deliverables of Indonesia’s Chairmanship in ADMM 2023.

Indonesia and Russia: Maritime Defence Cooperation

These two large countries in the Asia-Pacific have a defence cooperation agreement which was officially signed on May 18, 2016 and ratified by the Indonesian government in Law Number 7 of 2019.

Indonesia hosted in early December 2021 and co-chaired with Russia the implementation of the ASEAN – Russia Naval Exercise (ARNEX) or Joint Exercise or Latihan Bersama of the ASEAN – Russia Navy in Indonesian Waters, off the coast of North Sumatra.

The exercise with the theme “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Maritime Economic Activity and Civil Navigation” was opened by Pangkoarmada I Rear Admiral TNI Arsyad Abdullah at the Main Naval Base (Lantamal) I Belawan, Medan, North Sumatra.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, the Russian Ambassador to ASEAN, the Defence Attachés of ASEAN member countries in Jakarta, and was attended online by the Chairmen of the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials Meeting Working Group (ADSOM WG), Commander of the Primorye Flotilla of All-Arms Forces of the Russian Pacific Fleet and participants of the exercise in the anchorage area in Belawan.

After the opening ceremony was over, Commander of the Indonesian Navy Fleet (or Panglima Komando Armada/Pangkoarmada) I, the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, the Russian Ambassador to ASEAN, and the Defence Attachés inspected all participating ships in the exercise that were in the anchorage area using KRI Lepu-861.

Further, North Sumatra was chosen as the location for the implementation of ARNEX, considering its strategic location and proximity to ASEAN member countries, making it easier to deploy elements during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this joint exercise, Indonesia deployed 1 Frigate KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai-332, 1 AS-565 Helicopter, 1 CN-235 Aircraft and involved 500 Indonesian Navy personnel. Meanwhile, out of 11 participating countries, eight countries sent elements in the form of warships or aircraft and three countries sent observers.

The exercise, which was held for the first time, aims to improve cooperation and interaction between the Russian Navy and ASEAN countries. The ARNEX exercise focuses on the maritime security area to build capabilities and enhance interoperability between the navies of ASEAN member states and Russia in order to ensure the security of maritime economic activities and civil navigation, where the exercise will be conducted without physical contact so that there will be no observers or ship riders during the war exercise.

The ARNEX military exercise was a proposal from Russia that was first submitted in early 2020. At that time, Indonesia was the country coordinator for ASEAN-Russia cooperation so Indonesia, in this case the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, submitted the proposal to other ASEAN member countries through the applicable mechanism under the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM).

After going through a long process within the framework of the joint military exercise, finally at the 14th ADMM meeting on December 9, 2020, the Defence Ministers of ASEAN member countries agreed to accept Russia’s proposal to carry out the ARNEX exercise at the end of 2021.

In Southeast Asia, Russia has been one of ASEAN’s dialogue partners since 1996 and Russia became an ASEAN strategic partner in 2018. In addition, Russia is also a member of the ADMM-Plus Forum, which is a Defence Forum between ASEAN and 8 dialogue partner countries that was established in 2010, consisting of Australia, the United States, China, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.

The Indonesian government, through its navy, is trying to improve its naval attack and defence capabilities in responding to the rivalry between China and the United States in the South China Sea. The strengthening of the Indonesian naval fleet is being carried out by boosting the number of submarines. The number of ships and military weapons owned by the Indonesian Navy includes 1) Warships and 2) Naval Military Weapons. 

Table 1 Profile Indonesian Navy (2021-2023)

Source: Indonesia Naval Strength 

Table 2 Indonesian Navy Major Tasks

The Indonesian Navy has for many years been supported by a series of ships and modern naval weapons technology that have become a striking force in defending and carrying out attacks related to the implementation of combat tasks at sea. This is done in maintaining maritime security and the sovereignty of Indonesian territory in particular.

The ongoing modernisation of the main weapons system is clear evidence of the Indonesian Navy’s commitment to consistently maintaining national sovereignty and the security of Indonesian territorial waters.

The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.