Indonesia’s Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali met with Russia’s ambassador to Jakarta this week to strengthen bilateral defense ties, particularly in maritime and naval cooperation, the Indonesian Navy said on Wednesday.
Ali hosted Ambassador Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov at Navy Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Tuesday. The visit was described as a “courtesy call” held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Tunggul said in a statement.
“The event marked a joint resolve to continue strengthening defense ties between Indonesia and the Russian Federation, especially in the fields of maritime security and naval operations,” Tunggul said.
During the meeting, both sides discussed potential collaboration in joint naval exercises, maritime security, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Ali emphasized the importance of long-standing cooperation between the two nations' navies and expressed optimism about expanding the partnership.
He noted that increased engagement with Russia could help enhance regional maritime stability and support Indonesia’s broader defense goals.
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The Indonesian Navy has previously cooperated with Russia on military training, technical support, and defense procurement. The latest talks reflect Jakarta’s continued effort to diversify its defense partnerships amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Russia, a key arms supplier to several Southeast Asian countries, has been seeking to maintain defense relationships in the region, even as global scrutiny intensifies over its military activities in Ukraine.
Indonesia maintains a policy of non-alignment and continues to engage with multiple partners, including Russia, the United States, China, and regional neighbors, in its defense diplomacy.
Further discussions or follow-up actions from the meeting were not immediately announced.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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