TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto said, 9 tons of medical assistance from various sides in China to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia are scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Monday (March 23) at around 9:30 a.m.

"Tomorrow morning, the airplane will land at Halim Perdanakusuma (Air Force Base) at 9:30 a.m.," Tjahjanto said on Sunday.

The military cargo plane C-130B Hercules has arrived at the Rd Sadjad Air Force Base in Natuna on early Sunday in a ferry flight.

It arrived at Pudong Airport at 10:20 p.m. on Saturday (March 21) and left the airport at 00:40 a.m. local time on Sunday. The plane made a transit stop at Sanya Airport in Hainan Province before continuing its flight to Indonesia..

The health equipments would be handed over from TNI General Chief of Staff Lt.Gen Joni Supriyanto to Deputy Defense Minister Wahyu Sakti Trenggono upon its arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.

The medical assistance comprises disposable masks, N95 masks, protective clothing, goggles, rubber gloves, shoes covers, infra-red thermometer, surgical head covers, and some other equipments.

The medical assistance is the first phase of aid . China is expected to extend another 20 tons of medical aid for Indonesia.

Previously, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has written a letter to the Military Chief, requesting to transport the medical assistance to the country.

The Ministry has also established a special team to handle the coronavirus.

ANTARA