Sitting side by side with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Jokowi boarded a helicopter on a flight to the location of the G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Bavarian Alps, Germany.
What is unique is that this group of heads of state was not transported by VVIP helicopter, but using a Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion heavy transport helicopter belonging to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). There is no special configuration to bring this important guest.
Even as seen in the circulating photo, PM Modi and President Jokowi are sitting on a folding bench with an inclined position, which is typically used to transport infantry and paratroopers. There was no special impression displayed by the German Air Force. If you pay attention, VVIP guests get in and out of the helicopter using the ramp door at the back of the helicopter.
In terms of ability, no one doubts the ability of this legendary helicopter. With a 2× General Electric T64-GE-413 turbosaft engine – each engine has a power of 3,925 shp, the Sea Stallion can accelerate to a maximum speed of 315 km per hour and a cruising speed of 278 km per hour.
Flying across mountainous areas is not a problem, because the Sea Stallion can fly at an altitude of 5,106 meters with an uphill speed of 12.5 meters per second.
At full fuel capacity, the CH-53 Sea Stallion can fly as far as 1,000 km and fly a ferry of 1,640 km. Often used in various combat operations, the combat radius of this helicopter reaches 160 km.
Bearing the title of the mainstay heavy helicopter of the US Navy and US Marine Corps (USMC), the CH-53 Sea Stallion can carry a cargo payload of up to 3.6 tons. For the record, the maximum weight at takeoff is 19 tons.
Meanwhile, when loaded with troops, a platoon containing 38 troops can be carried in one flight. For medevac duties, the Sea Stallion can be loaded with 24 stretchers. In operation, the Sea Stallion is manned by a pilot and co-pilot, as well as a loadmaster.
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| President Jokowi and Indian PM Narendra Modi |
The usual concoction of weapons installed on the German CH-53 Sea Stallion is two 7.62 mm G3 medium machine guns mounted on the side door, and a 12.7 mm caliber M2HB heavy machine gun mounted on the ramp door.
The German Air Force currently operates 66 units of the CH-53 Sea Stallion. However, this helicopter will gradually be replaced by the Boeing CH-47F Chinook. To be precise, Germany will buy 60 CH-47F Chinooks for 5 billion euros (US$5.4 billion).
The CH-47F Chinook reportedly beat the CH-53K King Stallion Sikorsky-Rheinmetall. Germany's inaugural CH-47F Chinook is scheduled to be received in the period 2025 – 2026.
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