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Russian naval ships dock in Jakarta for joint exercises

The vessels included the corvette Gromkiy, the submarine Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the ocean tug Andrey Stepanov, according to the Russian embassy in Jakarta. 

Agencies
Jakarta
Tue, March 31, 2026 Published on Mar. 31, 2026 Published on 2026-03-31T16:42:11+07:00

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Soldiers of the Russian Navy stand on the Kilo-class (diesel-electric) submarine 'Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky' as they take part in the Navy Day parade, celebrating the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy, in St.Petersburg on July 25, 2021. Soldiers of the Russian Navy stand on the Kilo-class (diesel-electric) submarine 'Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky' as they take part in the Navy Day parade, celebrating the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy, in St.Petersburg on July 25, 2021. (AFP/Sputnik)

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Russian naval unit including a submarine was docked in Jakarta Tuesday, officials said, for joint training with Indonesia, which is walking a diplomatic tightrope in an increasingly multipolar world.

The vessels included the corvette Gromkiy, the submarine Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the ocean tug Andrey Stepanov, according to the Russian embassy in Jakarta.

The ships arrived Sunday at Tanjung Priok port, welcomed with a ceremony where the nations "emphasised the close and long-standing cooperative relationship in the naval sector", said an embassy statement posted on X with photos of the vessels.

It also underscored a joint "commitment to continue strengthening interactions to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region".

Over the coming days, the vessels will do "joint training in manoeuvres and communications".

Jakarta, while defending its non-aligned diplomatic posture, last year joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia and US foe China.

But President Prabowo Subianto has also signed a trade deal with US President Donald Trump and joined his so-called "Board of Peace", offering thousands of peacekeepers for Gaza but refusing to pay the $1 billion fee for permanent membership.

Earlier this month, Prabowo said Indonesia could withdraw from agreements with Washington or any other partner if its own national interests were threatened.

Pieter Pandie, a researcher at the international relations department of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies told AFP the Russian visit was mainly symbolic.

"For Russia, it shows that there are still countries willing to engage with it despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions from the West," he said.

"For Indonesia, the motive is less clear outside of simply wanting to engage with all partners under Prabowo's so-called 'Good Neighbour Policy'."

A number of Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are lining up to buy Russian oil as the Iran war blocks supplies, raising the possibility that demand may exceed supply, Reuters has reported.

Since the war in Ukraine prompted European customers - once the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas - to shun Moscow, India and China have accounted for around 80 percent of Russian oil exports. Turkey has also been a significant buyer.

But in recent weeks, a host of Asian countries have been lining up, according to various sources including media and Russia.

"Demand is high, particularly for alternative destinations. As a result, a point may come when it becomes difficult to meet additional demand," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question about Russian oil demand.

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