Indonesia Tests Five Helicopters Aboard KRI Sriwijaya-100

Indonesia's Navy has conducted a five-helicopter flight exercise aboard its first aircraft carrier, KRI Sriwijaya-100, testing shipboard aviation capabilities and disaster response operations as the country expands its naval fleet.

The exercise took place on November 2 and was announced by the Indonesian Navy the following day.

According to the Navy, three AS565 MBe Panther helicopters from Air Squadron 100 and two Bell 412 helicopters from Air Squadron 400, Air Wing 2, participated in the drills.

The exercise focused on helicopter takeoffs, landings and tactical coordination between naval aviation crews and personnel aboard the carrier.

Pilots practiced reconnaissance maneuvers, simulated deck approaches, touch-and-go landings and full-stop landings to improve their ability to operate from the vessel.

The Navy also conducted disaster response simulations, testing procedures for delivering emergency supplies and evacuating casualties from remote islands and disaster-affected areas.

Navy spokesperson Commodore Tunggul said the operation was completed safely and demonstrated improved coordination between aviation and shipboard units.

KRI Sriwijaya-100, formerly the Italian Navy's Giuseppe Garibaldi, was commissioned into Indonesian service on September 24 after being transferred from Italy.

Although originally designed to operate short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft, the vessel is expected to serve primarily as a maritime command, helicopter support and humanitarian assistance platform.

Indonesian officials have also outlined plans to expand the carrier's role in supporting unmanned aerial vehicles and disaster relief missions.

The latest exercise marks another step in developing operational procedures for the Navy's newly acquired carrier, although it does not establish full combat readiness.