Russia and Indonesia hold military exercise in Papua

Russian military personnel are in Indonesia's Papua this week for what is described as navigation and sightseeing.

The Jakarta Post reported two Ilyushin-76 strategic airlifters brought 81 personnel to Frans Kaisiepo Airport in Biak regency.

A Biak Airport spokesperson Putukade Wempy said the military personnel, who would be in Biak until Saturday, would only be in Biak.

The paper reported that two Tupolev TU-95 bombers were also coming, taking total personnel to 110.

The air commander at Manuhua Biak, Colonel Fajar Adriyanto told reporters the visit was part of a collaboration between the Indonesian military and its Russian counterpart that included choosing Biak as an exercise location.

The Jakarta Post reported the commander saying the Russian planes were not equipped with radar, ammunition, or cameras as the navigation exercises would only consist of checking the accuracy of long-distance flying over the seas.

He said the exercises had no other purpose, but would help to promote Biak as a tourist destination.