Indonesia to have indigenous UAVs by 2022

Indonesia’s Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) is planning to introduce an indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by 2022.

TNI AU Squadron 51
Photo: TNI AU

It plans to join hands with government and local companies to develop the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) uav. The Ministry of Defense and the Indonesian Air Force will be the operators. ITB will be a research partner. PT Dirgantara Indonesia will supply the aircraft, and PT LEN Persero will develop the control system.

The drone will have a range of 5,000km and can remain airborne for 24 hours.

The military will likely order 33 aircraft to meet its demand for 11 UAV units deployed across the country.