Indonesia's acceptance of a US proposal for a military aircraft repair hub sparks debate on deepening defense ties with Washington while maintaining its non-aligned stance. This move could make Indonesia the first in Southeast Asia to host such a facility.

The Indonesian government’s decision to accept a US proposal to turn an underused airport into a maintenance hub for Lockheed C-130 Hercules military aircraft has stirred up a familiar debate: how far can Jakarta deepen defence ties with Washington while preserving its non-aligned stance? The plan, which would make Indonesia home to the first facility of its kind in Southeast Asia, emerged alongside a separate discussion over allowing US military aircraft to access Indonesian airspace, adding to...