{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1809477,
        "msgid": "indonesia-urged-to-retain-full-control-over-kertajati-hercules-mro-hub-1781761817",
        "date": "2026-06-18 12:14:43",
        "title": "Indonesia urged to retain full control over Kertajati Hercules MRO hub",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Defense",
        "summary": "A defense analyst has called for Indonesia to maintain full authority over the planned C-130 Hercules maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Kertajati Airport, including control over foreign personnel and operations. The analyst stressed the need for clear agreements with the United States to ensure the project serves Indonesia's national interests. The initiative, announced after a meeting between Indonesian and US defense officials, aims to boost the domestic defense industry and serve the Asian region.",
        "content": "<p>Hanif Rahadian, an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Defense\nStudies (Keris), said the facility, planned as a regional MRO hub for\nAsia, should remain under Indonesian authority.<\/p>\n<p>According to Hanif, full oversight is necessary to ensure all MRO\nactivities are conducted in line with objectives set by the Indonesian\ngovernment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIndonesia must have full control over all activities at Kertajati\nAirport, including access permits, facility use, foreign personnel\nmovements and operations within the MRO area,\u201d Hanif said here\nThursday.<\/p>\n<p>He said Indonesia, as host country, should remain the primary\nauthority responsible for managing and regulating the facility.<\/p>\n<p>For that reason, Indonesia and the United States, the manufacturer\ncountry of the Hercules aircraft, should establish clear agreements\ndefining the scope of cooperation and operational limits.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must remain the principal authority that determines the rules and\noperational boundaries,\u201d Hanif said.<\/p>\n<p>He added that clear governance arrangements would help ensure the MRO\ncenter delivers maximum benefits to Indonesia\u2019s national interests.<\/p>\n<p>Responding to public concerns that the project could bring Indonesia\ntoo close to the United States, Hanif said the government should\ncommunicate its plans openly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTransparency and public communication are essential to prevent\nmisunderstandings regarding the purpose of the facility\u2019s development,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n<p>Asian region<\/p>\n<p>Indonesia\u2019s Defense Ministry previously announced plans to develop\nKertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java, as an MRO center for C-130\nHercules aircraft serving the Asian region.<\/p>\n<p>The proposal emerged following a meeting between Defense Minister\nSjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the\nPentagon.<\/p>\n<p>Defense Ministry Information Bureau Chief Brigadier General Rico\nRicardo Sirait said Kertajati was selected because of its extensive land\navailability and adequate aviation infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Rico said the project would strengthen aviation logistics support\ncapabilities and help advance Indonesia\u2019s domestic defense industry.<\/p>\n<p>The facility could also expand cooperation with other Asian countries\nthat operate Hercules aircraft, he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe initiative aligns with efforts to strengthen defense industry\nself-reliance and strategic aviation logistics support,\u201d Rico said,\nadding that the ministry has yet to provide a construction timeline.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesian Air Force backs Kertajati as regional\nHercules MRO hub<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Kertajati set to become Indonesia\u2019s aerospace industry\nhub: Minister<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-urged-to-retain-full-control-over-kertajati-hercules-mro-hub-1781761817",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}