President Prabowo Subianto handed over the first Airbus A400M transport aircraft to the TNI Commander in Jakarta on November 3, 2025. The plane was ordered when Prabowo served as defense minister in 2021, with the second unit scheduled to arrive in February 2026. This multirole aircraft is designed for defense, humanitarian, and disaster missions.
On November 3, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto led the handover ceremony of the first Airbus A400M A-4001 aircraft to TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto at Base Ops Lanud Halim Perdanakusuma, East Jakarta. The ceremony included unveiling the curtain over the Skadron Udara 31/Heavy Transport logo and sprinkling flower water on the aircraft's wheels. Prabowo, accompanied by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI Deputy Commander General Tandyo Budi Revita, TNI AU Chief of Staff Marshal M. Tonny Harjono, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, also inspected the interior with representatives from Airbus and the French Government.
The aircraft was ordered by Prabowo while serving as defense minister in 2021, with the Ministry of Defense signing a contract for two units and an option for four more. According to Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Inf Teddy Indra Wijaya, the second unit will arrive in February 2026. "Now, one of those aircraft has arrived in Indonesia! Meanwhile, the second aircraft will arrive next February," Teddy stated via written message on November 4, 2025.
Prabowo highlighted the A400M's capabilities for humanitarian missions, including medical evacuations in Gaza. "I think it is capable, very capable. But I think it will have more impact or play a greater role in evacuating the injured, those who need operations and so on," he said. He ordered the addition of an air ambulance module and forest firefighting equipment, as well as expanding TNI health battalions for national and international disasters. "I have ordered the TNI to add health battalions. Health teams will not only support disasters in the national territory, but if there are humanitarian incidents anywhere, we can also be present," Prabowo added.
The aircraft measures 45.1 meters long, 42.2 meters wide, and 14.7 meters high, with a payload of up to 37 tons (twice the Hercules capacity) and room for 116 personnel. Equipped with four Europrop TP400-D6 turboprop engines, it reaches a maximum speed of 780 km/h and a range of 8,900 km without payload. The MRTT variant supports air-to-air refueling, 66 medical stretchers, firefighting facilities, and an endurance of 11 hours or 3,300 km fully loaded. Teddy noted, "With its capable multirole features, this aircraft will not only strengthen the air force's operational readiness in facing various strategic challenges but also expand Indonesia's reach in humanitarian missions and emergency responses in the region."
Prabowo said the plane bolsters Indonesia's air defense, recalling past international aid received during the Aceh tsunami and Central Sulawesi earthquake, as well as Indonesia's contributions to Turkey and ongoing medical teams in Gaza.
