The exchange of embassies took place in 1954. From this period, relations between the countries began to develop actively, mutually beneficial cooperation in political, economic, cultural and military fields expanded.
In September 1956, the first general agreement was concluded. The Soviet Union provided Indonesia with a multi-million dollar loan for the construction of critical national economic facilities. Ten Soviet ships with military cargo were delivered to the country as early as March 17, 1958.
On April 26, 1958 the General Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the USSR and Indonesia came into force.
Since 1961, major deliveries of new weapons and military equipment began in order to comprehensively re-equip the Indonesian armed forces, including GAZ-69 all-terrain vehicles, PT-76 amphibious tanks, warships, fighters, submarines, artillery systems and small arms. Modernization required simultaneous training of thousands of Indonesian officers, soldiers, and sailors in the USSR.
The military and military-technical assistance provided by the Soviet Union allowed the young republic to overcome its dependence on Dutch influence and gain territorial integrity. Despite this, there was an almost 20-year period of cooling relations between the two countries since the late 1960's. It was not until the visit of Indonesian President Haji Suharto to Moscow in 1989 that the situation has changed for the better.
Since 2002, the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation has been operating.
In 2003, during a visit of Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri to Russia, the Declaration on the Principles of Friendly and Partnership Relations in the XXI century was signed.
In 2006, Indonesian President Susilo Yudoyono visited Russia and in 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Indonesia.
The Business Council for Cooperation with Indonesia, established on November 10, 2009, is an effective mechanism of cooperation. Currently, about 20 intergovernmental agreements and memorandums have been signed that form the current contractual and legal framework for economic cooperation between Russia and Indonesia.
In September 2010, a Russian-Indonesian agreement on strengthening military-technical cooperation between the two countries was signed. An intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation is working.
Rosoboronexport is a regular exhibitor at Indo Defense Expo & Forum, an International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment, in Jakarta.
Rostec State Corporation has a representative office in Indonesia that ensures Rosoboronexport's interests.
