SYDNEY: For decades, Indonesia has spent little – by global standards – on its military. And the modest resources available have been mostly directed to the army rather than the navy or air force.

Russia has asked Indonesia for permission to base strategic surveillance and combat aircraft in the province of Papua, some 1400km north of Darwin.

Last month, Indonesia's parliament amended a law allowing active-duty military personnel to work in 14 state institutions -- up from 10 -- including the attorney general's office, which rights ...

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto (3L) at the military academy during their cabinet retreat in Magelang, Central Java - Copyright AFP/File Handout Indonesia's ...