Russia-ASEAN naval exercise underway in Indonesian waters

JAKARTA: The first joint naval exercise between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations began in Indonesian waters on Wednesday, marking a new development in a region that faces territorial disputes with China and the US, which is under Beijing’s influence. tries to compete.
The three-day ARNEX exercise is conducted partly at the Indonesian Navy’s Belawan base and partly in the sea off North Sumatra province. Officials said it aims to enhance both the inter-operability of ASEAN and Russian forces and the safety of maritime economic activities and civilian navigation in the region.
“This exercise promotes a friendly relationship between the Indonesian Navy, ASEAN Member State Navies and the Russian Navy and will enhance the professionalism of naval personnel,” Rear Admiral Arsyad Abdullah, head of the Indonesian Navy First Fleet Command, said in a statement. that he started practicing. Belavon base.
Abdullah was accompanied by Russian Ambassador to ASEAN Alexander Ivanov and Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobyeva.
“This exercise is about peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” Ivanov said in a Twitter post, quoting the Russian mission to ASEAN. “We are opening a new page in our strategic partnership.”
The drill involved warships from seven of the 10 ASEAN member states – Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Brunei – and the Russian destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The Philippines, Cambodia and Laos – the only landlocked countries in Southeast Asia – are participating in the online exercise as observers.

Russia has also brought its Kamov attack helicopter, while Indonesia has deployed KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 warships, CN-235 aircraft, AS-565 helicopters and 500 personnel. The ARNEX joint exercise with Russia was approved by the Defense Ministers of ASEAN states in December 2020.
Several Southeast Asian countries have territorial disputes with China, which claims most of the nearby South China Sea. The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea. Indonesia says it has no territorial disputes with China, but has repeatedly questioned the presence of Chinese ships that regularly enter the waters of its northern Natuna Sea, which Beijing calls part of the South China Sea. as delimited.
To counter Beijing’s assertiveness, the US, Britain and Australia in September announced a tripartite security agreement in the Indo-Pacific, which has been criticized by Russia.
“Regardless of the reasons for securing maritime trade routes, the joint exercise shows that Russia does not want to lag behind as a major player in the region between the United States and China’s dominance in the region,” said Ari Afrianiah. , international law lecturer. Indonesia University said.
He said that both ASEAN and Russia had calculated the geopolitical risks before agreeing to the joint exercise.
“ASEAN wants to show the world that it is not taking sides, and that it is consistent among its dialogue partners to remain neutral in the geopolitical constellation.”