Indonesia’s President links devastating Central Tapanuli floods to long-term climate change, stressing the need for rapid military-grade logistics, deploying Airbus A400M and Hercules fleets.
By Fath/Emha/getnews. | Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra | December 1, 2025
When Climate Change Hits Home
The catastrophic floods and landslides that swept through North Sumatra in late November 2025—a disaster the President linked directly to extreme climate change—forced the Indonesian government into a full-scale, military-backed response. With hundreds killed and key infrastructure severed, the crisis has become the first major test of national disaster readiness under the new administration.
On Monday, December 1, President Prabowo Subianto arrived in the isolated Central Tapanuli region via a TNI Air Force Caracal H-225M helicopter to personally oversee relief operations at the Pandan GOR coordination center.
The Logistics War Room
The President’s visit was less about protocol and more about accelerating aid delivery to the hardest-hit communities. Access to Tapanuli Tengah was severely cut off, making ground transport nearly impossible.
- The Hardware Deployed: Prabowo confirmed the government has deployed its most valuable air assets, including multiple Hercules C-130 transport planes and an Airbus A400M, alongside Caracal helicopters, to deliver vital supplies like fuel, food, and medical kits.
- A Statement of Confidence: After visiting with victims, the President struck a firm, confident tone, stating: “They [the victims] are still in shock. But our nation is strong now, capable of overcoming this disaster.” This assertion aims to reassure both domestic and international observers of Jakarta’s control over the massive crisis.
The Climate Challenge and Future Readiness
Prabowo used the visit to address the long-term threat of climate change, emphasizing that the focus must shift from reacting to anticipating.
”This is the current condition. We must face climate change properly. The government must truly function to maintain the environment and anticipate future conditions,” he stressed, urging local governments to boost their preparedness.
- The Fleet Strategy: The deployment of the heavy-lift fleet, particularly the A400M (sebagai pengganti untuk logistics air drop) dan Hercules C-130, is critical context for the global audience. Indonesia’s proactive investment in these advanced transport workhorses is a strategic move to boost long-range disaster relief capability—a tacit admission that reliance on ground infrastructure is no longer viable in the face of climate instability.
The Call for Solidarity and Accountability
While praising the coordinated teamwork of the TNI, National Police, and disaster agencies, the crisis inevitably raises questions about environmental policy.
- Humanitarian Focus: The President acknowledged the emotional toll, noting the communities are “in shock,” reinforcing the need for continuous support until basic services like power and communications are fully restored.
- The Underlying Issue: As previously reported, the intensity of the mudslides across Sumatra is widely linked to illegal logging and deforestation, challenging the government to match its rapid military response with equally robust environmental enforcement.
President Prabowo’s hands-on inspection, coupled with the mobilization of military resources and a strong statement on national resilience, clearly communicates Indonesia’s commitment to rapid response. For the international community, the Tapanuli floods serve as a stark reminder of the escalating costs of climate change and the critical role of military logistics in modern humanitarian aid.
Caption: An Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) Airbus A400M transport aircraft undergoing a water salute process upon landing at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, East Jakarta, on Monday (November 3, 2025). The aircraft, which can transport large-dimension goods, completed its three-day journey to Indonesia from Seville, Spain.
Credit: (Source: ANTARA FOTO/Fakhri Hermansyah/ba)
