August 12, 2026 | 04:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Presidential Palace held a dress rehearsal for Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day. The flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremony will take place at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Based on Tempo's observation, preparations for the ceremony have begun, from a simulation to a demonstration of the main weapons systems (alutsista). This dress rehearsal took place in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace.
During the rehearsal, prospective Flag Raising Troops (Paskibraka) and ceremonial troops from the three branches of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) were seen practicing in the middle of the Palace courtyard. The Paskibraka candidates practiced formations for raising and lowering the Indonesian flag.
In addition to the rehearsal of the ceremony, an aerial demonstration was also visible above the Presidential Palace. A variety of military equipment, including helicopters and fighter jets, passed by. One helicopter seen flying overhead carried the Red and White flag. Fighter jets also maneuvered and formed formations.
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that 81 defense equipment items will be deployed for the 81st Indonesian Independence Day celebrations. "We just witnessed the training for the air demonstration, which involved approximately 81 of our aircraft and helicopters," Prasetyo Hadi said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
According to information from the Indonesian Air Force Information Service, several types of defense equipment were deployed for the 81st Indonesian Independence Day celebrations, including Airbus A400M transport aircraft; Rafale, F-16, and Sukhoi 27/30 fighter jets; and Indonesian Air Force helicopters, including the NAS-332 Super Puma, EC-725 Caracal, and EC-120B Colibri.
Read: Indonesian Gov't Assures National Security Ahead Independence Day
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