US Seeks Hercules MRO Facility in Indonesia, Lemhannas Governor Calls It Investment Opportunity

JAKARTA – The US Secretary of Defense has conveyed to Indonesia’s Defence Minister the desire to establish Indonesia as the Asia hub for Hercules aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO). The Indonesian government has decided to locate the US Hercules MRO facility at Kertajati Airport in Majalengka Regency, West Java.

Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Tubagus Ace Hasan Syadzily stated that the decision can be viewed from an economic perspective. He noted that Kertajati Airport has not been optimally utilised for civilian flights so far, and converting it into a Hercules MRO site would be highly appropriate.

“The principle is simple. If it is part of an investment, we must offer it to whoever. Given that Kertajati Airport has not functioned as a commercial airport thus far, and is now to be used for Hercules MRO services, it should be seen as an investment entrusted to Indonesia,” Ace said at Lemhannas headquarters in Central Jakarta on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

He urged that the decision be viewed positively due to its benefits for Indonesia. “We hope this will also strengthen our defence capabilities through military equipment, including transport aircraft like the Hercules. This could also have positive economic impacts,” Ace said.