More Than 30 Thousand TNI Personnel Deployed To Handle Disasters In Sumatra

Deputy Head of the TNI Information Center, Brigadier General Osmar Silalahi (second from the left), gave a statement to reporters at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, Sunday (7/12/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Efforts to accelerate disaster management in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra continue to be improved. Deputy Head of the TNI Information Center, Brigadier General Osmar Silalahi, said tens of thousands of soldiers had been deployed to assist the evacuation process, logistics distribution, and basic infrastructure recovery in affected areas.

"Until today, the total number of TNI personnel who have been in the field has reached 30,864 people, including troops from the Army, Navy, and Air Force," he said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Sunday. These personnel are a combination of soldiers on duty in disaster areas as well as additional troops from various regions in Indonesia.

In addition to deploying personnel, the TNI has also maximized the support of the main weapon system (defense equipment) to accelerate aid distribution. A total of 18 aircraft ranging from Airbus A400M, C-130 Hercules, NC212i to Cessna Caravan have functioned for logistics and mobilization of troops.

The TNI also operates 36 helicopters and 16 ships, including the Indonesian Navy warship and the Landing Craft Utility fleet of the Army. "All defense equipment is deployed not only to transport aid, but also to mobilize personnel to difficult points to reach for land routes," explained Osmar.

To date, the total logistics that have been sent to the affected areas has reached 1.559 tons. Of this amount, about 26 tons of aid have been distributed directly to residents through the airdrop method to locations that have not been penetrated. Osmar emphasized that the TNI will continue to maximize resources to support humanitarian operations.

"The TNI is fully present for the community. We have deployed personnel, defense equipment, and all the capabilities they have to help recover in the three affected provinces," he said.