Weighing the Pros and Cons for Indonesia if Kertajati Becomes Asia's Hercules Maintenance Hub
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Selamat Ginting, a Political and Military Analyst at National University (UNAS), regards the idea of turning Kertajati International Airport into a regional Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for C-130 Hercules aircraft across Asia as a strategic move that goes beyond aviation technicalities.
He says the project also relates to global politics, the defence industry, military diplomacy, and competition for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
‘The United States’ offer to centralise all Hercules maintenance in Asia in Indonesia shows that Jakarta is now viewed as having a strategic position in the regional security architecture,’ Selamat told Kompas.com on Friday, 22 May 2026.
‘The question is what political and military benefits Indonesia would gain if it accepts the offer?’ Selamat asked.
He said the Hercules MRO hub could transform Kertajati Airport, which has long been considered to have low passenger traffic, into a national strategic asset.
He noted that the airport’s expansive site, long runway, and relatively light civilian activity make it ideal to be developed into an air logistics hub, an aerospace precinct, military MRO facilities, and a regional aviation hub.
‘In other words, the Hercules MRO project could turn Kertajati from a fiscal burden into a geopolitically and nationally significant asset for the defence industry,’ he explained.
On the international political front, Selamat believes Indonesia’s bargaining position with the United States would strengthen.
To date, the defence relationship between the two countries has mostly involved purchases of major defence equipment and joint exercises.
However, if Indonesia becomes Asia’s Hercules maintenance hub, the relationship is seen as rising to a strategic partnership in logistics and the defence industry.
‘This is important because Hercules aircraft are used by many Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, India, and Australia,’ he added.
‘By becoming a regional maintenance hub, Indonesia automatically becomes a key node in the region’s military logistics chain,’ he concluded.
He also believes the move could strengthen Indonesia’s position as a middle power in the Indo-Pacific amid the rivalry between the United States and China.