Duncan Looi
THE Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) conducted helicopter operation drills aboard its recently commissioned aircraft carrier–KRI Sriwijaya. The drills involved five helicopters comprising three Airbus Helicopters AS565 Panther helicopters and Air Squadron 100 together with two Bell 412 helicopters from Air Squadron 400.
According to the TNI-AL, the drills aimed to sharpen the skills of TNI-AL aviators in taking off and landing on the carrier’s flight deck. The exercise covered a number of advanced flight techniques, including high-altitude reconnaissance, low-altitude reconnaissance, simulated approaches without touching the ship’s deck (Dummy Approach), brief landings followed by immediate takeoffs (Touch and Go), and full-stop landings (Full Stop).
Aside from take-off and landing drills, the helicopters also practiced disaster response simulation being launched from the carrier to strengthen coordination among naval units at sea. The deployment demonstrated the TNI-AL’s readiness to support Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), particularly humanitarian missions and disaster response operations. These scenarios tested the readiness and coordination of naval units in accelerating the delivery of logistical assistance and the evacuation of victims, particularly from outer islands and disaster-affected areas.
“The successful implementation of this shipboard operation involving five helicopters demonstrates the synergy in developing the professionalism of Indonesian Navy personnel and equipment operators. Their ability to carry out repeated takeoffs and landings reflects a high level of interoperability,” a TNI-AL spokesperson said.
Commissioned into TNI-AL service in late-September, the Sriwijaya is planned to serve as a maritime command platform to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts. The country’s president Prabowo Subianto had also directed that the vessel be modified to support rotary-wing and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in order to assist in fighting forest fires plaguing the nation.
TNI-AL chief Admiral Muhammad Ali also said that plans drawn up involve hosting TNI-AL, Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) and Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) helicopters aboard the Sriwijaya, which can reportedly accommodate over 10 medium-sized helicopters to better facilitate water-bombing sorties. On Nov 4, a TNI-AD Mil MI-17V5 helicopter crashed during a forest firefighting mission near Central Kalimantan, killing two onboard.-–shp/adj/dl (Pix:TNI-AL)
