DPR Member Warns Kertajati Could Be Perceived as a US Military Base Masquerading as a Hercules Aircraft MRO Hub

TB Hasanuddin, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), warned that there could be a perception that Kertajati Airport in Majalengka is being developed into a United States military base after being prepared as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for US Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. ‘If the facility is exclusive to supporting US military aircraft operations in the Asia region, then the perception could develop into a form of US military base in Indonesia,’ Hasanuddin said on Thursday (21/5/2026). He added that the government must be careful in negotiating such strategic cooperation. ‘So the decision to accept America’s offer to make Indonesia a C-130 MRO hub and to designate Kertajati as its location must be carried out with great caution and transparency,’ he said. The PDP-IP politician stressed that the government must be able to explain in detail the operational scope of the MRO facility. Hasanuddin also reminded the government to consider potential conflicts with the constitution and Indonesia’s international political stance. He also stressed that Kertajati Airport remains a civil aviation airport. Therefore, the government must prepare regulatory adjustments, governance reforms, and clearly defined zoning rules to avoid disrupting civil aviation functions. ‘If it becomes a centre for maintenance of military aircraft, there must be clear arrangements so as not to disrupt civil aviation services for the people of West Java,’ he said. Previously reported, President Prabowo Subianto through the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia received an offer from US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth to make Kertajati Airport in Majalengka a hub for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of C-130 Hercules transport aircraft across Asia. ‘He offered, and this is not available in ASEAN. He proposed, ’What if maintenance of C-130 across Asia I centralise in Indonesia at our expense?’. I reported to Mr. President, ‘give Kertajati’. We are working on that,’ Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said. He disclosed this in a Working Meeting (Raker) between Commission I of the DPR and the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) and the TNI on Tuesday (19/5/2026).