Prabowo Subianto Declares Russia a Great Friend Amid Naval Exercises
- Indonesia is conducting maritime exercises with Russian military ships for the first time in the Java Sea.
- The exercises involve a detachment from Russia's Pacific fleet, including multiple corvettes and a tanker.
- This partnership underscores Prabowo Subianto's intention to foster stronger ties with Russia amid a divided global landscape.
Indonesia is hosting its first maritime exercises with Russia, known as Orruda 24, in the Java Sea over four days starting this week. The Russian Pacific fleet has deployed a detachment to Surabaya featuring three corvettes and a tanker ship. Commodore I Made Wira Hady Arsanta Wardhana, the spokesman for the Indonesian navy, described the joint drills as a realization of the longstanding partnership between the two nations. The exercises highlight the new Indonesian leader's intention to maintain neutrality in global conflicts while enhancing military cooperation with Russia. Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's new leader, has indicated a willingness to strengthen relations with Russia, which he has referred to as a 'great friend.' This development occurs against the backdrop of increasing global polarization, with Indonesia aiming to assert its independent foreign policy.