September 9, 2026 | 06:17 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Defense Ministry said 180 Japanese military personnel are ready to support Indonesia’s efforts to tackle forest and land fires, with three Chinook helicopters due to arrive in West Kalimantan.
The personnel are currently in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, inspecting facilities needed to support the helicopters, as the city is planned as their base, the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom RI) said here Tuesday.
The three CH-47 Chinook helicopters are part of Japan’s assistance to Indonesia and are being transported aboard the JS Kunisaki, a Japanese naval vessel, due at Kijing Port on Wednesday.
The helicopters are expected to strengthen firefighting efforts through water-bombing operations.
The Indonesian government stressed that it retains full control over firefighting operations, while Japanese personnel and assets will provide support and remain integrated into Indonesia’s operational mechanisms.
The assistance follows a Defence Cooperation Arrangement signed by Indonesia and Japan on May 4, 2026, Indonesian Defense Ministry Secretary-General Lt. Gen. Tri Budi Utomo said.
The agreement covers disaster management and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, or HADR, he said, adding that the cooperation was humanitarian and part of broader diplomatic ties.
“All national capabilities will continue to be deployed. Japan’s assistance will then be integrated into all forest and land fire response operations,” Utomo said.
The deployment of the three helicopters reflects the two countries’ spirit of mutual assistance and will further strengthen their defense cooperation, Utomo said.
Indonesia thanked Japan for its support, with Utomo saying the three Chinooks were expected to make a tangible contribution to firefighting efforts in Kalimantan.
Read: Fact Check: Did Malaysia Deploy an Aircraft to Fight Sumatra Fires in 2026?
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