Indonesia to turn toll roads into emergency fighter jet runways
February 13, 2026
Even as Indonesia is in talks to purchase the old Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551) aircraft carrier, CNN reports that it is planning to turn its islands into aircraft carriers. The plan is to have prepared highway stretches similar to those of Finland.
Indonesia’s plan for highway runways for fighter jets
CNN stated, “Indonesia is embarking on a plan to make toll roads across the country into emergency runways for its fighter jets, giving it the equivalent of multiple aircraft carriers across the vast archipelago.”
The chief of staff of the Indonesian air forces, Marshal Tonny Harjono, stated that the massive island country wants to have at least one toll road section usable as an emergency runway in each of its 38 provinces.
The plan is to have 3,000-metre stretches of highways prepared for emergency military aircraft operations.
*Pesawat Tempur TNI AU Uji Coba Pendaratan di Tol Lampung*
— TNI Angkatan Udara (@_TNIAU) February 12, 2026
Pesawat tempur TNI Angkatan Udara, EMB-314 Super Tucano dan F-16 Fighting Falcon, berhasil melaksanakan uji coba pendaratan dan lepas landas di ruas Jalan Tol Terpeka Simpang Pematang, Lampung.
Wamenhan RI Marsekal TNI… pic.twitter.com/qiXVM6xxsz
In a demonstration on Wednesday, the Indonesian Air Force performed landings and takeoffs with an F-16 fighter jet and Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano turboprop attack aircraft on a highway in Sumatra. The road was half as wide as a runway.
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How Finland and the US use highway runways for fighter jets
Saab advertises this JAS 36 Gripen as being specially adapted for these sorts of operations. That said, any modern Western fighter jet can do it; the Finnish Air Force uses its F/A-18 Hornets on highway stretches and is planning to do the same with its incoming F-35A.
Eurofighters have also operated from Scandinavian highway stretches during exercises. Using dispersed emergency airfields has long been important to Swedish and Finnish planning.
More recently, the US is also planning something similar through its new Agile Combat Employment (ACE) doctrine in the event of war with China.
Perhaps somewhat ironically, Indonesia is investigating purchasing a dizzying array of fighter jets, and the Gripen isn’t one of them.
Whereas the US’s postering is pointed at China, Indonesia’s rearment is not pointed at anyone. As a non-aligned country, it values not taking sides and hedging its bets.
This is why the country is investigating purchasing South Korean, Pakistani, Turkish, French, and Chinese fighter jets. It has recently made a requirement for the Turkish KAAN to be free of US export controls, a very tall order.
Some of these may be cancelled. Indonesia is no longer purchasing US F-15EX fighter jets, although the first Dassault Rafales have now arrived.
The Indonesian Air Force stated, “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.”
Indonesia moves closer to buying aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi
Indonesia’s approach to air power is not limited to its highways. Even as it experiments with dispersed operations across its archipelago, Jakarta is also exploring a far more traditional form of power projection at sea.
CNN described the highway concept as a “cost-effective way to cover a sprawling country”, noting that securing such vast territory with a conventional aircraft carrier would be challenging, particularly given that the Indonesian Navy does not currently operate one.
Yet within hours of that report, Indonesia’s state news agency, Antara, said Jakarta intends to have the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi in service by 5 October 2026, the anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali confirmed that the acquisition process is ongoing, stating only that it is “still in process”. It remains unclear whether a formal contract has been signed.
Indonesia has never operated an aircraft carrier, and bringing the former Giuseppe Garibaldi into service would require far more than simply acquiring the hull. Carrier aviation demands trained deck crews, qualified pilots, maintenance infrastructure and a clear operational doctrine, none of which Jakarta currently possesses.
A key question is whether the ship would come with ex-Italian AV-8B Harrier II jets, originally designed to operate from the Garibaldi. Even if included, sustaining an ageing Harrier fleet would present logistical and financial challenges.
Declaring the vessel operational by October 2026 is an ambitious target. For now, the carrier plan appears to sit alongside Indonesia’s highway runway strategy as part of a broader, still-evolving approach to air power.
Featured image: Indonesian Air Force
