August 29, 2026 | 01:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan will deploy three Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 transport helicopters to Indonesia to help fight forest and land fires, marking the first time Japan's Self-Defense Forces have conducted firefighting operations overseas, according to NHK World.
The helicopters will be transported to Indonesia aboard the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kunisaki, which is expected to depart for Indonesia once preparations are completed.
About 600 Japanese personnel will take part in the international emergency relief mission, Japan's Defense Ministry said Friday.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi ordered the Self-Defense Forces' Joint Operations Command to carry out the mission following a request for assistance from the Indonesian government.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Koizumi said Japan would work to help contain the fires and limit further damage.
“Japan will do everything possible to help prevent further expansion of the damage,” Koizumi said, as quoted by The Japan Times.
The three CH-47 helicopters will be used for firefighting operations in Indonesia, adding heavy-lift aerial capabilities to the country’s existing firefighting fleet.
The aircraft can carry and drop large quantities of water when fitted with suitable tanks or buckets, while their transport capacity allows them to move personnel and equipment to areas that are difficult to reach by road.
Japan-Indonesia Defense Cooperation
The deployment follows discussions between the Japanese and Indonesian governments on possible assistance after Jakarta requested support for efforts to contain the fires.
Japan's Defense Ministry said the mission is in line with a defense cooperation agreement signed by the defense ministers of Japan and Indonesia in May.
Under the agreement, the two countries agreed to promote cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The deployment also comes days after the defense chiefs of Japan, Australia and Indonesia held their first trilateral talks on Wednesday, as the three countries seek to deepen defense and security cooperation.
Japan's decision to send the Self-Defense Forces to Indonesia represents an expansion of its overseas disaster-relief activities, with the mission focused on supporting firefighting efforts rather than military operations.
The Kunisaki, carrying the three CH-47 helicopters, is scheduled to leave for Indonesia after preparations are completed. The approximately 600 personnel involved will support the operation once the mission begins.
The deployment comes as Indonesia faces a major escalation in forest and peatland fires, particularly across Kalimantan, with authorities concentrating firefighting efforts in West, Central and South Kalimantan.
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