November 3, 2025 | 02:43 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the Airbus A400M airlifter is capable of supporting humanitarian operations in Gaza, Palestine. The military aircraft, he said, could be used to evacuate wounded civilians and conduct medical procedures.
"(Assisting the humanitarian mission in Gaza) I believe it's very capable. But I think it will have a greater impact on evacuating the wounded who require surgeries and the like," said Prabowo after handing over the aircraft marked A-4001 to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta on Monday, November 3, 2025.
The head of state mentioned that an air ambulance operating module will be developed for this purpose. Prabowo also instructed the Indonesian military to increase the number of health battalions.
Prabowo said these units will assist humanitarian missions abroad, citing foreign help Indonesia received during disaster recovery in the past. "Remember, during the Aceh tsunami [2004], many countries came to help. When we had problems in Central Sulawesi in Palu [2008], various nations helped us," he said.
The former defense minister stated that Indonesia, as part of the global community, must also assist other countries in times of need. He said that Indonesia has also deployed troops to assist in disaster management in other countries.
"When there was a major earthquake in Turkey, we sent two Hercules and were ready to send over vessels. We still have a medical team in Gaza with the UAE," said Prabowo.
Prabowo Subianto had previously handed over the Airbus A400M airlifter to the TNI at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta on Monday, November 3, 2025. The A-4001 aircraft had arrived in Indonesia on Monday morning after a three-day journey from Seville, Spain.
The A400M is a versatile military transport aircraft manufactured by Airbus, capable of carrying loads of up to tens of tons, including armored vehicles and light helicopters. This aircraft can also operate on short and unpaved runways, making it a strategic asset for the Indonesian Air Force to support aerial operations and humanitarian missions across Indonesia.
Previously, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract to purchase two Airbus A400M aircraft in a multirole tanker and transport configuration. The contract, inked during the Dubai Airshow 2021, took effect in 2022. On that occasion, the Ministry of Defense also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the acquisition of four A400M.
The Indonesian government itself will provide food aid worth US$12 million or approximately Rp200 billion to the people of Gaza, Palestine. The Director General of the Indonesian Agency for International Development (Indonesian AID) at the Ministry of Finance, Dalyono, stated that this assistance is part of the Indonesian government's commitment to support the people of Palestine.
Dani Aswara contributed to the writing of this article.
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