Jakarta. A Russian diplomat said Tuesday that Moscow was open to beefing up Indonesia’s marine power via military purchases as its corvette Gromky arrived in Jakarta.

The Gromky-335 is part of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s detachment as Moscow planned on carrying out joint communication exercises. Russia had also brought its submarine Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the sea tug Andrey Stepanov. According to Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov, Moscow is open to helping Indonesia advance its ambitions for a more modern arsenal.

“Maybe in the future, Indonesia can [have] the same kind of ships from Russia to increase your defense capability,” Tolchenov told reporters in Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok Port.

Asked whether Indonesia and Russia had entered into official discussions for warship purchases, he remained tight-lipped, saying that the government would not announce it “even if there had been such talks”.

“But military and technical cooperation is a natural and integral part of our [ties]. We are ready to introduce [the warships]. … If something is bought by Indonesia, you will see it in your waters,” Tolchenov said.

The Prabowo Subianto government does not seem to hold back on defense spending. In 2026 alone, his administration has allotted Rp 337 trillion ($19.8 billion) for defense. The government had also made some purchases ranging from the Indian BrahMos missile system to the Turkish-made KAAN jets.

Beyond marine power, Russia had previously stated it was still keeping its fingers crossed that Indonesia would use its Su-35 fighter jets one day.

Prabowo — a retired army general — had said that countries that refuse to invest in their defense system “would have [their] independence stolen away”.

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