Ankara: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the country's plan to purchase up to 200 helicopters by 2026 for defense and natural disaster preparedness, as devastating floods have claimed nearly 900 lives.

According to Anadolu Agency, Prabowo highlighted Indonesia's vulnerability to natural disasters due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire. He stated that the recent floods and landslides in the Sumatra region have resulted in at least 97 fatalities. Prabowo emphasized the urgency of the situation and the necessity of enhancing the country's emergency response capabilities.

"We have just received five new helicopters this week, and the number will continue to increase. I have ordered my aides to procure 200 helicopters starting January next year," Prabowo said in Jakarta on Friday, stressing the importance of being prepared before a crisis strikes.

Prabowo assured that the government has already taken swift action in response to the disaster in Sumatra. This includes the deployment of 50 helicopters to aid in relief efforts and support search and rescue operations in the affected areas.

He also reiterated the government's commitment to utilizing all available resources, including military transport aircraft, to ensure a rapid response to disasters across the nation.

The floods in Indonesia have resulted in at least 897 deaths, with 451 people still missing and around 4,200 injured, according to the country's National Disaster Management Agency. Over 3.2 million people have been affected, and more than 1 million displaced residents have been relocated to safe areas in the flood-hit provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.

Regionally, over 1,600 people have died in floods and landslides impacting South Asia, with Indonesia being the hardest hit, followed by Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia, as reported by the UN on Friday.