Russia Ready to Help Build Space Infrastructure in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Russia is ready to participate in the development of space infrastructure in Indonesia, said the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov to RIA Novosti.

"Indonesia plans to build ground infrastructure for space launches on Biak island, but the plan has not yet been finalized in the form of an official government decision," he added.

"If partners are interested in utilizing Russian experience and technology in the implementation of such projects, we are ready to participate in their implementation on a mutually beneficial basis," Tolchenov told RIA Novosti, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 14.

He emphasized that Indonesia and Russia are long-term partners in the field of space exploration for peaceful purposes.

"Over the past few decades, various cooperation options have been explored, such as launching satellites into low Earth orbit," said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission.

Meanwhile, at the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Spaceport, at the B.J. Habibie Building, Jakarta, Friday, December 19, 2025, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia will strengthen cross-sectoral synergy to accelerate the development of the National Spaceport on Biak Island, Papua, as an effort to realize independence of space access and increase Indonesia's competitiveness at the global level.

This effort is carried out through the coordination of policies, regulations, and infrastructure readiness with related ministries and agencies, local governments, defense and security elements, industry, and universities.

The head of BRIN, Arif Satria, emphasized that the development of the Spaceport was a strategic trust of the state to strengthen Indonesia's independence in access to space.

"BRIN is formulating derivative regulations so that after the enactment of the Draft Government Regulation (RPP), the determination of location and implementation of development can be carried out immediately, including the opening of BRIN land in Biak which is planned to start in 2026," said Arif.

He emphasized that the development of the Spaceport was in line with Indonesia's vision of Gold 2045, especially in the development of the space economy, the space environment, and space security, and is expected to strengthen Indonesia's position at the global level.

BRIN hopes that a joint commitment will be built with all stakeholders to realize the development of a safe, sustainable, and national interest-oriented Spaceport. This development is expected not only to strengthen Indonesia's space technology independence, but also to encourage the equitable development and economic growth in the eastern part of Indonesia.

To encourage the realization of independence in the space sector, Acting Deputy for Development Policy of BRIN, Anugerah Widiyanto, explained that the development of the Spaceport has a strong legal basis.

The foundation is contained in Law Number 21 of 2013 concerning Space, Presidential Regulation Number 45 of 2017 concerning the Master Plan for the Implementation of Space 2016-2040, and Government Regulation Number 7 of 2023 concerning Space Technology Dominance which emphasizes the aspect of technology safeguard.

"The RPP on the Implementation of the Spaceport has completed the harmonization process and is ready to become the basis for operational development. In addition, the space master plan needs to be updated to 2045 to be in line with the national development vision," said Anugerah.

He added that the study on the development of the Spaceport in Biak had been carried out since 1990 and needed to be updated in accordance with technological developments, national needs, and current environmental conditions.

Biak Island has geographical advantages because it is close to the equator, thus providing energy efficiency and rocket launch costs to low earth orbit (LEO). In addition, the increasing global space economy opens up great opportunities for Indonesia to play a more active role in the launch industry and space services.

"The global space economy is estimated to reach around five percent of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The development of the Spaceport in Biak will provide a multiplier effect for the region, ranging from job creation, economic growth, to strengthening space diplomacy," he explained.