Prabowo Opens 218 Bailey-Armco-Pioneer Bridges Across Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated 218 bailey, armco, and pioneer bridges distributed across Indonesia on Monday, 9 March 2026.
“In the name of God, this afternoon on Monday 9 March 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate 77 bailey bridges, 59 armco bridges, and 82 pioneer bridges,” said Prabowo during the inauguration ceremony.
He described the inauguration of hundreds of bridges on the day as a commendable achievement. Prabowo stated that the accomplishment reflected the dedication of military personnel and field personnel in disaster-affected regions and other areas requiring bridges to support community activities.
The President expressed his emotional appreciation for the commitment of personnel working for the nation’s interest.
“To the Chief of Staff of the Army, all Commanders, Regimental Commanders, District Military Commanders, Sub-district Military Commanders, civilian military assistants, Brigade Commanders, and Battalion Commanders, I convey my thanks as your President and Supreme Commander,” Prabowo said.
The President remarked that he felt relieved that hundreds of bridges in remote areas were now being constructed. He noted that children in villages no longer need to struggle crossing rivers to attend school.
“Our children in remote areas no longer need to attend lessons in wet clothing or return from school in wet clothing,” Prabowo stated.
He acknowledged that bridges in remote areas are relatively small in scale but retain strategic significance. Prabowo characterised the infrastructure development as evidence of government commitment to the interests of the broader public.
“The suspension bridges in remote areas that are only a few metres wide and a few metres long are indeed strategically important for the government I lead. The interests of the people are what we prioritise most,” he said.
Bailey bridges are portable, modular, emergency-type steel frame bridges designed for rapid installation without heavy equipment. Such bridges are frequently utilised as temporary solutions following disasters or infrastructure damage.
Armco bridges are bridge structures using corrugated steel culverts as their primary structure. These bridges are recognised for their sturdiness, lightness, durability, and are often deployed as emergency bridges or village connectors.
Pioneer bridges are frequently suspension bridges built rapidly through communal effort to connect isolated villages, accelerate post-disaster connectivity recovery, and provide vital access for rural communities. These bridges typically serve emergency or strategic connectivity functions.