Indonesia is implementing a significant initiative to convert toll roads into emergency runways for military aircraft. This innovative move aims to provide the country with multiple operational sites for fighter jets across its vast archipelago, effectively acting as a network of aircraft carriers. During a demonstration on March 13, 2024, an Indonesian Air Force F-16 fighter jet and a Super Tucano attack plane successfully landed and took off from a toll road in Lampung province, located on the southern tip of Sumatra.
Marshal Tonny Harjono, the chief of staff of the Indonesian Air Force, expressed aspirations that each of the country’s 39 provinces will eventually have at least one section of toll road designated for military use. Although no specific timeline has been provided, the initiative represents a strategic enhancement of Indonesia’s defense capabilities. In a statement, Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto referred to the success of the demonstration as a vital milestone in strengthening the nation’s defense system.
Utilizing highways for military operations is not a novel concept; various countries, including the United States, Finland, and Sweden, have employed similar strategies. The dispersal of fighter jets across numerous islands is a tactic the U.S. military is exploring to make its air forces more resilient against potential threats, particularly in the context of tensions with China in the South China Sea. However, Indonesia’s initiative is not aimed at any specific nation, according to an official statement from the Indonesian Air Force.
The military’s plan to use toll roads as alternative runways is expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Indonesian Air Force to confront various threats while preserving the roads’ primary function as public transportation infrastructure. Analysts highlight that this approach is also a cost-effective solution for a country composed of over 6,000 inhabited islands spanning approximately 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers).
Maintaining an aircraft carrier is a costly endeavor, with expenses reaching billions of dollars. Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, emphasized that the strategic advantage of having multiple roadways available as emergency military runways is significant. “The margin of risk is lower than an aircraft carrier,” Koh noted. “If you strike the aircraft carrier once, it’s gone. Multiple roads-as-runways mean the loss of one leaves several others to pick up the slack,” he explained.
The operational requirements for aircraft using these makeshift runways differ from those needed for carriers. The F-16 and Super Tucano aircraft used in the demonstrations are not designed to operate from carriers, making the toll roads a practical alternative. The military plans to establish sections of at least 3,000 meters (nearly two miles) in length for military landing and takeoff.
During the demonstration, Donny Ermawan Taufanto praised the skill of Indonesian pilots, who successfully landed on roads that are only about 24 meters (79 feet) wide, significantly narrower than standard airport runways, which range from 45 to 60 meters. “It’s risky, but Air Force pilots are trained for these conditions,” he remarked, as reported by the government-run Antara news agency.
This initiative not only enhances Indonesia’s defense strategy but also reflects a growing trend among nations to optimize existing infrastructure for military readiness. As the landscape of global military operations continues to evolve, Indonesia’s innovative use of toll roads could serve as a model for other countries facing similar geographic challenges.
