Kertajati Airport Plans to Become Asia's Hercules Maintenance Hub
The proposal to establish Kertajati Airport in West Java as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for C-130 Hercules aircraft across Asia has recently gained attention.
The plan was initially disclosed by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during a meeting with the House of Representatives’ Commission I on Tuesday (19 May).
During the meeting, Sjafrie recounted his meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth last year, who offered to centralise C-130 maintenance for the entire Asia region in Indonesia at US expense.
“He offered, and this is not available in any ASEAN country, suggesting that C-130 maintenance across Asia be centralised in Indonesia at our cost,” Sjafrie said in the meeting.
Sjafrie stated he did not immediately respond but reported the offer to President Prabowo Subianto.
“I reported to the President, suggested Kertajati. We are working on it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, explained that Kertajati Airport was selected due to its ample land and adequate facilities.
“The Defence Minister’s statement to Commission I primarily concerns the exploration of developing C-130 Hercules MRO capacity in Indonesia, with Kertajati considered as a potential site due to its spacious land and sufficient aviation facilities,” Rico said when contacted on Friday (22 May).
He emphasised the plan aims to strengthen national defence and aviation industries, enabling Indonesia to develop independent strategic transport aircraft maintenance capabilities and gradually become a regional hub.
“This is about developing technical and industrial capabilities, not establishing a foreign military base,” he added.
Rico stated discussions are still in the early stages.
“All processes prioritise national interests, Indonesia’s sovereignty, and existing government procedures,” Rico said.
Separately, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed Kertajati’s land is sufficient for a Hercules MRO hub.
“The land at Kertajati is still adequate for Hercules MRO facilities,” Dudy said.
According to Dudy, developing Kertajati as an MRO hub is part of a government initiative launched last year.
The development will not only target Hercules aircraft but also various other fleets.
He explained that one ongoing plan is the construction of a helicopter MRO facility by PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk (GMF), which has already begun planning for the project.
“From what I recall, it was proposed last year, including GMF building a helicopter MRO centre,” he said.