Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto affirmed that the Indonesian Air Force’s new Airbus A400M transport aircraft is highly capable of supporting humanitarian operations, particularly medical evacuations from conflict zones like Gaza.
“I believe it is very capable, especially for evacuating the injured—those needing surgery or other medical care,” Prabowo said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Monday.
He emphasized the aircraft’s suitability for humanitarian missions and recalled how Indonesia once received international aid during major disasters such as the Aceh tsunami and the Central Sulawesi earthquake. Now, he said, it is Indonesia’s turn to help others.
As an example, Prabowo cited Indonesia’s deployment of two Hercules aircraft and naval vessels to assist Turkey after its devastating earthquake. He also noted that Indonesian medical teams remain active in Gaza alongside the United Arab Emirates.
“As part of the global community, we must assist countries in distress. Our medical team is still in Gaza, working with the UAE,” he said.
To strengthen Indonesia’s humanitarian response, Prabowo has ordered the A400M to be equipped with an airborne surgical module and air ambulance system.
He also instructed the expansion of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) medical battalions to serve both domestic and international missions.
“These teams must be ready to respond wherever humanitarian crises occur—not just at home, but around the world,” he added.
