BNPB optimistic about deployment of KRI Sriwijaya to support disaster management
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has optimistically welcomed the policy to utilise the aircraft carrier KRI Sriwijaya-100 to support Non-War Military Operations (OMSP), particularly for disaster management missions and humanitarian aid in Indonesia.
Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, the Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan, stated that the presence of the aircraft carrier will significantly improve the efficiency of logistics distribution, as well as providing a primary fleet of ships and helicopters for disaster response and Search and Rescue (SAR) in hard-to-reach areas.
He cited the experience of managing emergency aid during flash floods and landslides exacerbated by the Senyar Cyclone in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra in late 2025, where challenges relied heavily on air and sea distribution after land access was severed. A similar situation occurred a year prior during the emergency response to the eruption of Mount Ruang in the Sitaru Islands, North Sulawesi, where thousands of residents had to be evacuated, but only a few nearby vessels could reach the area.
“We certainly welcome this policy. It will be very helpful to have a location that serves as a logistics distribution centre and a placement point for military equipment to be sent to affected areas that are difficult to access,” he said.
When asked about the technical operations and specialised equipment for disaster management, Berton stated that he could not provide further details as discussions at the ministerial/institutional level are still being coordinated under the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) and the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kuala Lumpur PMK).
For instance, forest and land fire (karhutla) management falls under the coordination of the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, who also serves as the Chair of the National Forest Fire Task Force. Meanwhile, managing the impacts of hydrometeorological or geological disasters falls under the coordination of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.
“Regarding the use of the Sriwijaya aircraft carrier for needs such as forest fire management, we cannot provide an explanation yet; it would be better to ask the Coordinating Minister,” he added.
The former Italian-built ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi was officially renamed KRI Sriwijaya-100 during a lowering of the flag ceremony at Pier 107, Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, on Thursday (24/9).
KRI Sriwijaya-100 measures 180 metres in length, 33 metres in width, has a full weight of 13,850 tonnes, and is capable of a cruising range of up to 7,000 nautical miles with a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Muhammad Ali, previously revealed that KRI Sriwijaya-100 is prioritised to support Non-War Military Operations (OMSP) and is projected to serve as a primary floating base to accelerate emergency disaster response across the Indonesian archipelago.
This is considered highly feasible given that the aircraft carrier can accommodate up to 550 crew members, significantly more than the capacity of KRI Brawijaya-320, which holds only about 203 personnel.