Bandarlampung, Lampung (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Defense Ministry is preparing a roadmap to enable selected toll roads and national highways to meet technical specifications for emergency aircraft landings, enhancing military readiness across the archipelago, officials said on Wednesday.

“This concept is crucial to maintain defense readiness in the country’s island regions,” said Deputy Defense Minister Air Marshal (Ret.) Donny Ermawan Taufanto in a written statement received in Lampung.He said multiple alternative landing points would allow fighter operations to continue even if primary bases are compromised.

“We want every major island to have multiple base options. If one is attacked, another is available. Some future toll road sections will be designed to serve as runways,” Donny added.

He said future infrastructure development would align with national defense needs.

The Defense Ministry will coordinate with the Public Works Ministry and toll operators to ensure emergency runway specifications are met.

“In future toll road construction, we will adjust specifications to meet runway requirements. This is part of the national defense roadmap,” he said.

Donny praised Air Force pilots for landing fighter jets on narrow toll roads, which are riskier than conventional airbases.

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“Toll roads are only about 24 meters wide, narrower than airport runways at 45–60 meters. It’s risky, but Air Force pilots are trained for these conditions and landings have been safe,” he said.

The Air Force previously conducted test landings of EMB-314 Super Tucano and F-16 jets on the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, Terbanggi Besar–Pematanag Panggang–Kayu Agung section in Lampung.

“The test landings and takeoffs were successful. This is the first-ever military jet landing on a toll road in Indonesia,” Donny said.

He called the test a key milestone in strengthening national defense, particularly using civilian infrastructure during emergencies.

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“Today marks the first successful test landing of fighter jets on a toll road. Thankfully, it was safe and smooth,” he said.

Donny said the two aircraft have different roles: Super Tucano for patrol, reconnaissance, and close air support; F-16 as the frontline supersonic fighter for national air defense.

“Both jets were reported safe, showing our plans worked as intended,” he said.

He emphasized the tests are part of a broader national defense strategy involving civil infrastructure.

“Toll roads are prepared as alternative runways when airbases cannot be used,” he said.

The plan aligns with Indonesia’s “total defense” concept, involving ministries, toll operators, and citizens.

“This embodies total defense: it’s not just the TNI, but also ministries, toll operators, and citizens supporting alternate routes,” Donny said.