The above comments make for interesting reading.
Ref the move of the aircraft to Biak. The remains of the old wartime airfield at Biak was designed for heavily laden/underpowered bombers during WWII, very suitable for Russian products. It’s a good distance from Australia. If the fighters had been based at Merauke that would have been a different kettle of fish.
Surely the Indonesians see the Chinese to the north as a real threat. The Chinese government shows all the characteristics of a bully with its neighbours, and is spending ample funds on armaments. Viewed economically right now, China’s economy is growing at an enviable rate compared with Western countries. Internal unrest is increasing as people see hope for a better future through work and a strong economy.
Maybe the comparison with the pre-second war Japanese ‘Zaibatsu’ companies may not be quite correct, but China has a great need for natural resources, especially steel and oil. To maintain internal peace it will go to great lengths to assure continuity of supply of basic materials.
Noting China’s bullying attitude to its neighbours and immature political views; it must be viewed as a major threat to Indonesia and South East Asia in general.
There are several disputed areas in the South China Sea, more so as there are oil deposits in those areas. Why just grab that, when you have p*ssed off the other claimants by taking it over, you may as well just grab a bit more land and resources. There’s no one around that has the military strength and political will to do anything about it.