Russian Kilo II submarine and Gromky corvette arrive in Jakarta

Yesterday, the Russian Embassy in Indonesia announced the arrival in the Southeast Asian country of a Kilo II attack submarine, a corvette and support vessels, opening a further chapter in military cooperation between Moscow and Jakarta. The Russian Navy detachment’s arrival in the Indonesian capital reinforces a bilateral relationship that has maintained operational continuity and seen growing defence exchanges in recent years.

Russian Pacific Fleet vessels arrive in Jakarta

The statement reported that a Russian Navy Pacific Fleet group had reached the port of Tanjung Priok. It comprises the corvette Gromky, the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky submarine - designated as a Kilo II - and the support ship Andrey Stepanov. The welcoming ceremony was led by Rear Admiral Evgeny N. Myasoedov, Deputy Commander of Forces and Assets in the Pacific Fleet’s North-East, and Marine Corps Brigadier General Dian Suryansyah, Deputy Commander of Indonesia’s Naval Regional Command III. Both highlighted the enduring nature of bilateral naval ties.

The two officers stressed the need to sustain smooth dialogue and regular operational activity between the Russian and Indonesian navies. They stated that such engagements help maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific and strengthen cooperation arrangements encompassing port calls, technical exchanges and communications exercises. On the same day, Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, visited the deployed vessels to review their capabilities and arrange future activities.

The visit programme includes working meetings, ceremonial events and sporting fixtures between the crews, as part of the regular engagements associated with this type of naval deployment. Once these events have concluded, the forces are expected to conduct joint exercises focused on maritime manoeuvres and communications. The vessels will remain in Jakarta for several days before resuming their operational itinerary.

History of cooperation between Russia and Indonesia

The strengthening of current cooperation follows recent precedents, including the Orruda 2024 exercises, held in Surabaya and the Java Sea from 4 to 8 November that year. The drills featured both harbour and naval phases and were the first bilateral exercises of their kind since Indonesia gained independence 79 years earlier. Several Russian corvettes and the support vessel Pechenga took part, demonstrating broader coordination in tactical and logistical areas.

Defence and aviation links

The defence relationship has also been expressed in other areas, including military aviation. In 2019, a source in Jakarta told the Interfax agency that Russia and Indonesia had reached an agreement for the sale of 11 Su-35 fighter aircraft following almost four years of negotiations. According to the same source, the $1.1 billion contract would be partly paid through an offset arrangement involving exchanges of palm oil, rubber and other Indonesian products, according to information close to Rosoboronexport.

The arrival in Jakarta of the Kilo II submarine and the corvette Gromky continues this pattern of sustained cooperation between the two countries. The Russian naval deployment strengthens the Pacific Fleet’s presence in Southeast Asia and enables Indonesia to broaden its network of strategic partners, while both governments retain an interest in developing joint initiatives focused on maritime security and technological exchange in the naval sphere.

Images obtained from the Russian Embassy in Indonesia.