Indonesia urged to retain full control over Kertajati Hercules hub

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia must retain full control over a planned maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center for C-130 Hercules aircraft at Kertajati Airport to safeguard national interests, a defense analyst said.

Hanif Rahadian, an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Defense Studies (Keris), said the facility, planned as a regional MRO hub for Asia, should remain under Indonesian authority.

According to Hanif, full oversight is necessary to ensure all MRO activities are conducted in line with objectives set by the Indonesian government.

"Indonesia must have full control over all activities at Kertajati Airport, including access permits, facility use, foreign personnel movements and operations within the MRO area," Hanif said here Thursday.

He said Indonesia, as host country, should remain the primary authority responsible for managing and regulating the facility.

For that reason, Indonesia and the United States, the manufacturer country of the Hercules aircraft, should establish clear agreements defining the scope of cooperation and operational limits.

"We must remain the principal authority that determines the rules and operational boundaries," Hanif said.

He added that clear governance arrangements would help ensure the MRO center delivers maximum benefits to Indonesia's national interests.

Responding to public concerns that the project could bring Indonesia too close to the United States, Hanif said the government should communicate its plans openly.

"Transparency and public communication are essential to prevent misunderstandings regarding the purpose of the facility's development," he said.

Asian region

Indonesia's Defense Ministry previously announced plans to develop Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java, as an MRO center for C-130 Hercules aircraft serving the Asian region.

The proposal emerged following a meeting between Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.

Defense Ministry Information Bureau Chief Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait said Kertajati was selected because of its extensive land availability and adequate aviation infrastructure.

Rico said the project would strengthen aviation logistics support capabilities and help advance Indonesia's domestic defense industry.

The facility could also expand cooperation with other Asian countries that operate Hercules aircraft, he said.

"The initiative aligns with efforts to strengthen defense industry self-reliance and strategic aviation logistics support," Rico said, adding that the ministry has yet to provide a construction timeline.

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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution

Editor: Primayanti

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