Jakarta, June 18 -- Indonesia must retain full control over a planned maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center for C-130 Hercules aircraft at Kertajati Airport to safeguard national interests, a defense analyst said.

Hanif Rahadian, an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Defense Studies (Keris), said the facility, planned as a regional MRO hub for Asia, should remain under Indonesian authority.

According to Hanif, full oversight is necessary to ensure all MRO activities are conducted in line with objectives set by the Indonesian government.

"Indonesia must have full control over all activities at Kertajati Airport, including access permits, facility use, foreign personnel movements and operations within the MRO area," Hanif sai...