Jakarta, December 6, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto has unveiled a major plan to procure up to 200 helicopters beginning next year as part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s defense capabilities and enhance national preparedness for natural disasters.
Speaking at the Golkar Party’s 61st anniversary event in Jakarta on Friday, the President highlighted Indonesia’s high vulnerability to natural disasters due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. He referred to the current emergency response to severe floods and landslides in Sumatra, underscoring the urgent need to bolster aerial assets for rapid response.
“We have just received five new helicopters this week, and the number will continue to increase. I have ordered my aides to procure 200 helicopters starting January next year,” President Prabowo said.
Extending his condolences to the affected communities, Prabowo praised the resilience of the Indonesian people, stressing that the nation has consistently demonstrated its ability to overcome crises through collective effort and swift mobilization.
He affirmed that the government has been working intensively to address the disaster situation, including deploying 50 helicopters to deliver humanitarian assistance and support search-and-rescue operations in impacted regions.
Defending the large-scale procurement plan, the President emphasized that Indonesia needs to strengthen its capabilities not only to deter security threats but also to effectively respond as a disaster-prone country. Addressing criticism over defense modernization, he noted that national leaders must anticipate future challenges to ensure the country is ready for any scenario.
“We cannot afford to frantically look for additional helicopters once a disaster or war has already erupted,” he stressed.
President Prabowo reiterated the government’s commitment to utilizing all available resources, including military transport aircraft, to ensure rapid and comprehensive disaster response across the archipelago.
