Jakarta: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has unveiled an initiative to acquire 200 helicopters next year, aiming to bolster the nation's defense capabilities and enhance its disaster response readiness.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Indonesian news agency, this decision aligns with Indonesia's strategic need to address its vulnerability to natural disasters, given its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Prabowo emphasized the importance of this plan by referencing the ongoing emergency response efforts to recent floods and landslides in Sumatra. He announced that five new helicopters have already been received and that procurement will ramp up starting January next year. The announcement was made during the Golkar Party's 61st anniversary event in Jakarta.
He expressed his condolences to those affected by the disasters and highlighted Indonesia's resilience in crisis situations. Prabowo assured the public of the government's swift action, which includes deploying 50 helicopters for aid delivery and search and rescue missions in impacted areas.
Prabowo defended the helicopter procurement strategy, stressing that Indonesia's response capacity must be robust not only against military threats but also in the face of frequent natural disasters. He reiterated the government's dedication to utilizing all available resources, including military transport aircraft, to ensure an effective nationwide disaster response.