Indonesia: The Military's Transportation Challenges

The May 20 crash of an Indonesian military C-130 that left nearly 100 dead is the third Indonesian military plane crash in two months, and the second to involve a C-130. An investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched amid accusations that the maintenance budget for the military was insufficient. For Indonesia, aircraft like the C-130 are essential to its ability to transport its limited military forces to the far reaches of the archipelago. While this most recent crash was a routine flight to West Papua, the recent unrest in that far eastern province and the difficulty of responding highlight the transportation challenges the Indonesian armed forces face.