Defence Minister asks PT DI and GMF to be involved in Kertajati MRO development
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has asked PT Dirgantara Indonesia and PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk to be involved in the development of the MRO facility at Kertajati Airport, West Java.
Sjafrie made the request during a meeting with officials from PT DI, PT GMF, and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono aboard a Hercules C-130 aircraft on Wednesday.
“Perhaps what needs to be our attention is how Garuda and GMF can continue to work together with PT DI, both in terms of management and capability,” Sjafrie said during the meeting.
According to him, the involvement of the domestic defence industry is necessary to improve the capability of national companies in aviation technology.
Sjafrie said this capability improvement can be supported through technology transfer between domestic industry and foreign companies that manufacture aircraft.
He noted that the achievement reflects an improvement in the national aviation industry’s capability, as heavy maintenance of the Hercules C-130 was previously carried out by Lockheed Martin.
“Although we have received technical assistance from Lockheed Martin, it has now brought us to the point where we can stand on our own,” he said.
Sjafrie said the construction of the MRO facility at Kertajati Airport is still ongoing. The government is also revitalising a number of facilities to support MRO operations.
He expressed hope that the MRO development can be completed soon so that PT DI and PT GMF can use it to maintain the primary air weapon systems of the Indonesian Armed Forces as well as those of other countries.
“Indonesia must have full control and authority over all activities involving the use of Kertajati Airport, including access permits, use of facilities, movement of foreign personnel, and activities carried out within the MRO area,” said Hanif when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta.
According to Hanif, Indonesia’s position as host must be reflected in the management of the facility so that the government can oversee all MRO activities in accordance with the objectives that have been set.
Therefore, the Indonesian government and the United States, as the country that produces Hercules aircraft, need to have a clear agreement on the scope of cooperation and operational boundaries from the outset.
“We must remain the primary authority that determines the rules of the game and operational boundaries,” he said.
Responding to concerns that the MRO development could make Indonesia too close to the United States, Hanif asked the government to convey information openly to the public.
“Transparency and public communication are very important so that no misunderstandings arise regarding the purpose of developing the facility,” he said.