Indonesian officials have since dismissed the prospect of the base, but have failed to confirm whether the request had been made.

In response to concerned media reports, Russian ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov said military cooperation between the two countries was an “integral part of intergovernmental relations” and questioned why Australia was worried.

“It is hard to imagine that any ordinary Australians should be concerned about what is happening 1300 kilometres from their territory, about matters that concern relations between other sovereign states and have nothing to do with Australia,” he said in a letter to the Jakarta Post published on X overnight.

“Such cooperation is aimed at strengthening the defensive capabilities of both sides, is not aimed against any third countries and poses no threat to security in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

“Canberra’s national interests cannot extend to the territory of neighbouring sovereign states that pursue active and independent policies.”

“He has said to me in the clearest possible terms, reports of the prospect of Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia are simply not true,” he said in a statement.

Indonesian Defence Ministry spokesperson Frega Wenas also told Reuters that “the report is incorrect”.

Albanese added that our relationship with one of our closest neighbours has “never been stronger” after seeking clarification from Indonesia.

“Indonesia is a sovereign nation. So we continue to put our argument about our own case and our own relationship with Indonesia,” he told reporters last week.

“Indonesia and Russia have historically had relations that are different from Australia’s.”