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View all search resultsIndonesia accepts US Hercules hub despite sovereignty concerns
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A United States Air Force C-130 Hercules takes off at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, on Dec. 20, 2025 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. (AFP/Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo)
I
ndonesia has accepted a United States proposal to develop a maintenance hub for Hercules military aircraft, a plan that has been met with a wary response from lawmakers and analysts, who warn against arrangements that could blur sovereignty boundaries.
Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin disclosed the plan on Wednesday during a meeting with House of Representatives Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs. He said he had discussed the matter with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including the possibility of using Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java, as a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center for C-130 Hercules aircraft.
According to Sjafrie, the idea originated from the US side, which pointed to the lack of a regional-scale Hercules maintenance hub in Southeast Asia. After conveying the proposal to President Prabowo Subianto, the Defense Ministry was instructed to further study the plan and follow up on technical details.
In a statement to The Jakarta Post on Thursday, Defense Ministry spokesperson Rico Sirait said Kertajati was being considered because of its large land area and aviation infrastructure, adding that the initiative was intended to strengthen Indonesia’s aviation and defense industry capabilities.
“The cooperation should be better understood in the context of strengthening national defense and aviation industry capacity, while positioning Indonesia as a regional maintenance hub,” Rico said.
Read also: US overflight proposal sparks ministerial rift
The US currently conducts much of its Hercules heavy maintenance at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia while also relying on contractor-operated and partner facilities in several allied countries, including the United Kingdom and Portugal.
