Japan's Defence Ministry Sends Three Chinook Helicopters to Help Tackle Forest Fires in Kalimantan

Japan’s Ministry of Defence has decided to support firefighting operations in Kalimantan. The decision follows a request from the government of the Republic of Indonesia, which sought Japan’s assistance in dealing with the severe damage caused by forest and land fires. Japan’s Ministry of Defence will dispatch personnel and assets of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) as part of international disaster relief activities. The JSDF will send the tank landing ship JS Kunisaki, carrying three CH-47 Chinook helicopters, to Indonesia as soon as preparations are complete. In a statement, Japan’s Ministry of Defence also uploaded two photographs of Chinook helicopters involved in forest fire suppression operations. The helicopters transport water from lakes and fly to fire hotspots to extinguish the flames.