Defence Minister Sjafrie Meets Russian Ambassador to Discuss Joint Military Exercises and Special Forces

The Indonesian Minister of Defence, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, received a courtesy visit from the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Indonesia, Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov, at the Ministry of Defence office in Jakarta on Wednesday (2/9/2026). This bilateral meeting addressed various strategic steps to strengthen defence cooperation between the two nations.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, the discussions included plans for working visits to Russia, the enhancement of defence dialogues, and the implementation of joint exercises involving all three branches of the military.

“Indonesia views Russia as one of the important partners in building defence cooperation,” the official Ministry of Defence statement noted, as reported on Thursday (3/9/2026).

In addition to joint exercises, the Ministry of Defence noted that both parties explored strengthening cooperation in the special forces sector, personnel education and training, and capacity building in the field of military medicine. The Ministry emphasised that this partnership is based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, prioritising common interests, and respecting the sovereignty of each respective country.

This strategic meeting in Jakarta took place concurrently with President Prabowo Subianto’s working visit to Vladivostok, Russia. President Prabowo accepted an invitation from President Vladimir Putin to attend as a guest of honour at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), symbolising the close diplomatic ties between the two nations.