Palace Speaks Out on Photo of Prabowo Flying in the Sky During 81st Independence Day Ceremony

State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi has revealed the reason TNI personnel displayed a photo of President Prabowo Subianto in the sky during the 81st Independence Day celebrations.

According to him, the display of Prabowo’s photo was carried out as a form of gratitude to Prabowo from TNI members. This is because Prabowo has strengthened Indonesia’s defence equipment.

“We also express our gratitude because it is during Mr Prabowo’s era, although it was already initiated since his time as Defence Minister, that we have truly strengthened our defence equipment,” said Prasetyo at the DPR Building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, as quoted on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

“And recently you have seen in the air demonstration that several Rafale jets have started to arrive,” he added.

Prasetyo said the strengthening of defence equipment is also useful for distributing logistical aid in the event of disasters in Indonesian territory.

“Including the A400, which in our situation, our country being in the Ring of Fire where unexpected disasters frequently occur, has also proven its benefits,” he explained.

The Gerindra Party politician said that with the strengthening of defence equipment, the time required to send aid to disaster locations can be shortened significantly.

“In a short time we can send logistics, which we have already used starting from the disaster in Sumatra and recently in NTT,” Prasetyo concluded.