Defense analyst and observer from the Strategic Defense Studies Institute Hanif Rahadian, assessed that the government needs to prepare many things before operating the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center for Hercules C-130 aircraft throughout Asia at Kertajati Airport, West Java.
One thing that needs to be prepared is aircraft maintenance facilities consisting of a variety of quality equipment such as hangars, workshops and other maintenance facilities.
"Transportation access to Kertajati Airport must also be continuously strengthened to support the mobility of personnel and logistics and, of course, to boost the regional economy with more open and easier access," Hanif said when contacted.
Apart from facilities, the government, in this case the Indonesian Air Force, must prepare quality human resources (HR) to support MRO operations.
According to Hanif, this must be prepared thoroughly because Indonesian Air Force technicians and other civilian workers will be the spearhead of MRO operations.
In addition, Hanif assessed that the government must also prepare the domestic defense industry, both State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and the private sector, to improve the quality of their products.
Thus, the domestic defense industry is expected to become one of the main suppliers of supporting equipment needed by the Hercules MRO.
By preparing these various things, Hanif believes that the MRO in Kertajati can run optimally and have a positive impact on the progress of the defense industry and the domestic economy.
Previously, the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) stated that the construction of an MRO center for C-130 Hercules aircraft throughout Asia at Kertajati Airport, Majalengka Regency, West Java was still in the planning stage.
This confirms that there is no deadline for when the MRO construction will begin.
"In principle, the government is still in the planning and conceptual development stage for the development of the national aerospace ecosystem in the Kertajati area, including the gradual development of MRO facilities for both commercial and military needs," said Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defense's Secretariat General.
Rico said the Ministry of Defense must consider many things before starting the MRO development process, such as the technical aspects of the cooperation agreement, the technical aspects of MRO facility construction, and the MRO management model to be used.
Rico continued, explaining that all of these aspects must be considered to ensure MRO operations align with national interests. Furthermore, the development and operation of MRO must also involve the domestic defense industry.
