Indonesia is taking a significant step in enhancing its military capabilities by converting toll roads into emergency runways for fighter jets. This initiative aims to provide the country with the equivalent of multiple aircraft carriers across its vast archipelago. The announcement was made by Tonny Harjono, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, who expressed hopes that eventually each of the 39 provinces will have at least one toll road section designated as an emergency runway. No specific timeline for the project has been provided.
In a demonstration in Lampung Province on March 15, 2024, an Indonesian Air Force F-16 fighter and a Super Tucano attack plane successfully landed and took off from a toll road. Donny Ermawan Taufanto, Deputy Defense Minister, hailed the event as a crucial milestone in strengthening Indonesia’s defense capabilities. He stated, “This success marks an important milestone in strengthening the universal defense system.”
Using highways as military landing strips is not a new concept. Countries such as the United States, Finland, and Sweden have previously demonstrated similar capabilities. The strategic dispersion of fighter jets across Indonesia’s islands aligns with tactics the U.S. military is exploring to make its air forces less vulnerable in potential conflicts, particularly with nations like China. Despite ongoing disputes with China in the South China Sea, the new runway initiative is not perceived as a direct response to any specific nation.
“The use of toll roads as situational alternative runways is expected to strengthen the operational readiness of the Indonesian Air Force in facing various potential threats,” noted a statement from the Indonesian Air Force. This approach aims to maintain the primary function of toll roads as public transportation infrastructure while enhancing military preparedness.
Covering the extensive territory of Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, poses unique challenges. With over 6,000 inhabited islands spread across an east-west axis of 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers), the cost of acquiring and maintaining traditional aircraft carriers, which can run into billions of dollars, is not feasible. According to Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, the use of toll roads as emergency military runways presents a more strategic and cost-effective solution.
Koh explained, “An aircraft carrier doesn’t seem that attractive as a cost-effective platform. Having countless toll roads and highways earmarked as emergency military runways across the entire archipelago makes more strategic and operational sense.” He emphasized that if one road is compromised, others remain operational, reducing the risk significantly compared to a single aircraft carrier.
The Indonesian Air Force plans to designate sections of toll roads that are approximately 3,000 meters long (almost two miles) to accommodate military aircraft operations. The successful landings on roads that are only about 24 meters (79 feet) wide—notably narrower than typical airport runways—demonstrate the skills of Indonesian pilots. Taufanto commended the pilots for their ability to perform under such conditions, stating, “It’s risky, but Air Force pilots are trained for these conditions.”
This innovative approach not only enhances Indonesia’s military readiness but also reflects a growing trend in utilizing existing infrastructure for defense purposes. As the situation in the region evolves, the impact of these developments on Indonesia’s national security strategy will be closely watched.
