Indonesia dismissed on Tuesday a report in defence publication Janes that Russia has requested basing military aircraft in Papua, its easternmost province, after the issue caused concern in Australia.

Indonesia has denied reports that Russia is seeking to station military aircraft in its easternmost province. But this may not be the end of the matter given Russia’s interests in the region.

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government has dismissed reports of a proposal from Russia to base several of its aircraft at an Indonesian Air Force base in Papua, asserting that the country will not allow any foreign military bases to be installed in the country.