Indonesia is set to establish a military drone manufacture facility in collaboration with Turkey. This strategic partnership is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s primary defense system while positioning both nations as key players in the global defense sector.
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission I, Oleh Soleh, expressed full support for the development of the defense industry and the construction of the drone factory.
He believes that the relationship between Indonesia and Turkey will deepen following the meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“We fully entrust the government with the scheme and location of the factory. However, if private companies are involved, a comprehensive study and thorough preparation are essential,” Soleh stated in a written release on Monday (February 17), as reported by minanews.net.
The collaboration is expected not only to enhance Indonesia’s defense capabilities but also to improve the quality of its defense human resources.
“All of this must ultimately lead to the strengthening of Indonesia’s Minimum Essential Force,” he emphasized.
Beyond the drone factory, three other key areas of cooperation are being prioritized by Commission I:
- Defense industry collaboration between Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense and Turkey’s Presidential Defense Industry Secretariat
- A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Turkish Radio Television Corporation (TRT) and Indonesia’s public broadcaster LPP RRI
- Cooperation between Anadolu Agency (AA) and Indonesia’s Antara News Agency
The Importance of Investment in Scientific Research
Senior researcher at the Indonesian Society of Scientists and Technologists (MITI), Budi Heri, welcomed the signing of the drone factory agreement between Turkish private company Baykar Haluk and Indonesian company Republikorp.
“This collaboration presents an opportunity for the Indonesian government to revive its long-established drone development program,” Budi stated in Jakarta on Tuesday (February 18), as quoted by mnctrijaya.com.
He highlighted the strategic role of drone technology across various sectors, including defense, agriculture, and disaster mitigation. Although Indonesia once prioritized drone development at a national level, it now faces significant challenges.
Budi hopes that this private-sector partnership will reignite the country’s strategic drone program. He stressed the importance of continuing domestic drone research until it materializes into real applications.
As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia requires drone technology to safeguard its sovereignty and defense. The use of drones aligns with the government’s current efficiency initiatives.
“Investment in research and technology directly correlates with economic and industrial competitiveness. Countries with high R&D spending, such as the US, China, and South Korea, have developed advanced technology-driven industries. Technology development is crucial for national resilience and industrial self-sufficiency,” Budi explained.
However, he noted that Indonesia’s private sector is not yet capable of driving defense research and technology independently due to infrastructure limitations. The government must still step in to bridge this gap.
“Stronger incentives and a well-developed research ecosystem are necessary to keep researchers productive and innovative. This will help Indonesia achieve its goal of becoming a self-reliant nation,” Budi concluded.
Indonesia’s First Drone Manufacture in Bogor, West Java
Meanwhile, in 2018, PT Famindo Inovasi Teknologi (FIT) established a first drone factoryin Babakan Madang, Bogor, West Java. The factory is claimed to be the first drone production facility in both Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
He pointed out that drone technology development in Indonesia remains limited due to a lack of technological support and education on drone utilization. As a result, domestic consumers still prefer foreign-made drones.
“Around 80% of the raw materials used in our drones are locally sourced,” he said, as reported by antaranews.com.
FIT, a subsidiary of Famindo Group, ensures that its factory adheres to environmentally friendly standards and operates with nationally and internationally accredited technology.
In addition to manufacturing drones, FIT has established a drone pilot school to meet the growing demand for drone operators in Indonesia. The training programs cater to both national security and civilian applications.
Marshal TNI Muhammad Syaugi, Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency, who attended the inauguration, expressed his support for FIT’s efforts in drone development and drone pilot training.
The establishment of these drone facilities marks a significant step toward Indonesia’s technological independence and strengthens its position in the global drone industry.
Source: minanews.net, mnctrijaya.com, antaranews.com
Photo Credit: JESHOOTS.com vie pexels.com
