December 23, 2025 | 04:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has clarified the use of a helibox airdrop system deployed to disaster-affected areas in Sumatra that are inaccessible to helicopters for direct landing.
The explanation followed the circulation of a video on social media suggesting that aid dropped by the TNI consisted of empty boxes. The military rejected the claim, saying it was based on a misunderstanding of the airdrop packaging system.
Lieutenant Colonel CBA Supriyanto, Commander of the 5th Army Transportation and Supply Battalion (Perbekang) and head of the Airdrop Rigger Team in the Air Task Force, said the aid was delivered using standard airdrop procedures and in compliance with aviation safety regulations.
According to Supriyanto, each helibox undergoes multiple inspections before being released from an aircraft. The boxes are filled with legitimate logistical aid, inspected by personnel, and supervised by officers before being loaded onto trucks and aircraft.
“It is impossible for an empty helibox to be dropped,” Supriyanto said in a written statement on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Why the Helibox May Appear Empty
Supriyanto explained that the helibox measures approximately 73 centimeters in height, while the packaged logistics payload inside averages about 30 centimeters. This leaves an empty space at the top of around 35 to 37 centimeters, which can give the visual impression that the box is empty when viewed from above or in a video.
However, he stressed that the payload is securely fastened and embedded inside the container.
The helibox has a maximum recommended payload of five kilograms. Filling it beyond this limit, he said, could increase the risk of damage during the airdrop.
“If filled to the brim, it could weigh up to nine kilograms and compromise safety,” he said. “This is why the cargo is not packed to the top, which often leads to misinterpretation.”
Contents and Safety Design
The airdropped logistics consist of basic necessities, including rice and instant noodles. The items are arranged using precise calculations to prevent shifting, compression, or damage while airborne.
The ropes securing the payload are arranged in a fan-shaped configuration, following parachuting standards to maintain balance and stability as the helibox descends.
Supriyanto said the airdrop process involves four layers of verification. The first inspection is conducted by the rigger team during packaging. The second takes place during truck loading, involving both rigger personnel and Indonesian Air Force hangar staff. The third check is performed by the aircraft crew prior to loading.
The final stage involves coordination with ground units to ensure the aid lands safely, intact, and in the correct location.
“If the helibox were empty, it would have failed the first inspection,” he said, adding that no reports from ground units have indicated empty boxes, contrary to online speculation.
Supriyanto said the clarification was intended to address misinformation and reassure the public that all airdropped aid follows a systematic and accountable process.
“We hope this explanation helps prevent misunderstanding and distorted assumptions that do not reflect the actual situation,” he said.
Read: Sumatra Disaster Damages 89,000 Hectares of Rice Fields in Aceh
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