The Singapore Armed Forces Deploys Airlift Assistance to Indonesia

The Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft departing Paya Lebar Air Base to provide airlift support for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will be deploying one Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft at the request of the Indonesian Government to support the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)'s humanitarian efforts, as Indonesia begins its rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sulawesi, Indonesia, following the earthquake and tsunami on 28 September 2018. The RSAF C-130 aircraft will be deployed to Indonesia for a week to provide airlift support to transport humanitarian supplies into disaster-hit areas.

The SAF's contributions underscore the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Indonesia. The SAF had previously deployed two RSAF C-130 transport aircraft to Indonesia on 2 October 2018 to deliver a relief package, comprising tents, meal rations, bottled water, and medical supplies in support of the Indonesian Government's disaster relief efforts. Following the delivery of the relief package, the two RSAF C-130 aircraft and aircrew remained in Indonesia and supported the TNI in relief efforts, such as ferrying humanitarian supplies for the displaced civilians in disaster-hit areas. One aircraft returned on 17 October 2018, while the second aircraft returned on 26 October 2018.