Indonesia is embarking on an ambitious project to enhance its military capabilities by repurposing sections of its toll roads into emergency airstrips for jet aircraft. This initiative, likened to converting islands into 'ground aircraft carriers', aims to establish a network of such airstrips distributed across its vast archipelago, thereby enabling a swift military response capability throughout the region.

The project was recently highlighted during a successful demonstration where an F-16 fighter jet and a light attack aircraft, the EMB-314 Super Tucano, successfully landed and took off from a segment of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road in Lampung province. This test, the first of its kind on an Indonesian highway, underscores the Defense Minister's commitment to integrating civilian and military infrastructure for strategic defense purposes.

The vision outlined by Air Force Chief Marshal Tonny Harjono includes ensuring that each of Indonesia's 38 provinces has at least one designated toll road section that can function as a military runway. This strategic move not only boosts Indonesia's defensive posture but also reflects a growing trend of nations seeking to leverage civilian infrastructure for military readiness, potentially altering the landscape of regional security dynamics in Asia.