President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Defence Ministry to source 100 Bailey bridges from overseas, following severe infrastructure damage caused by recent natural disasters in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh.
The announcement was made by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak during a press briefing at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta on 29 December.
According to the army, 44 Bailey bridges are already being deployed as part of ongoing recovery operations: 12 have been completed, 15 are en route, and six are currently being installed, with the remainder under assembly. These bridges are from existing stock and separate from the new batch of 100 bridges, which will be imported to expand capacity for future needs.
Bridge construction and repairs are being coordinated with the Public Works Ministry, the National Police and local communities. No details have been disclosed on which countries will supply the Bailey bridges.
