Jakarta. Japan has deployed three CH-47 Chinook helicopters and about 300 personnel to West Kalimantan to help Indonesia tackle forest and land fires, strengthening an ongoing operation led by the Indonesian military and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The Japanese contingent was sent at the Indonesian government’s request as part of an international emergency response team. The Chinooks will support aerial firefighting, while Japanese personnel will assist with helicopter operations and field missions.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the Japanese assistance would add to Indonesia’s existing firefighting capabilities during a visit to the Japanese warship JS Kunisaki in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday.

“The most important thing is how all available capabilities can be used to protect the public, accelerate firefighting and reduce the impact of forest and land fires,” Sjafrie said.

The JS Kunisaki is carrying three CH-47 Chinooks equipped to support aerial firefighting operations. About 300 Japanese personnel have also been deployed to operate the helicopters and support missions on the ground.

The Japanese team is coordinating with an Indonesian military task force supporting BNPB’s firefighting efforts.

The Indonesian military has assigned three safety officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force to coordinate operations with the Japanese contingent during Chinook missions.

Sjafrie thanked Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi for Japan’s rapid response to Indonesia’s request for assistance.

“As defense minister, I express my gratitude and appreciation to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi for his rapid response in providing CH-47 helicopters equipped with firefighting capabilities,” Sjafrie said.

The Defense Ministry is also preparing to shift the Japanese operation to Ketapang, another area in West Kalimantan considered more suitable for maximizing the Chinooks’ firefighting capabilities.

Sjafrie said the deployment also reflects defense cooperation between Indonesia and Japan under the countries’ Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

He said the agreement was based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, adding that defense cooperation could extend beyond security matters to provide direct benefits to communities, including during disasters.

The Japanese helicopters and personnel are expected to strengthen the capabilities of the TNI and BNPB and accelerate efforts to extinguish fire hotspots in affected areas.

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