The chief of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has asserted that the service will acquire Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 medium altitude-long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (MALE UAVs) to boost the Southeast Asian country’s air defence capabilities.
Air Chief Marshal Mohammad Tonny Harjono told local media that the service will acquire an undisclosed number of TB2 UAVs for beyond line-of-sight surveillance and reconnaissance operations. Marshal Harjono had earlier visited TB2 manufacturer Baykar Technology in Istanbul in June this year.
The proposed TB2 UAVs will operate alongside other MALE UAV systems, the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Anka, as well the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Cai-Hong 4 (CH-4).
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) earlier revealed in July 2023 that it will be acquiring 12 TAI Anka UAVs worth up to US$300 million, with delivery expected within 32 months after the contract enters into force.
The deal also provisions for equipment and services such as a flight training simulator, integrated logistics support, ground support and test equipment, and hangar infrastructure.
The Anka UAVs will be supported by local subsidiary PT Turkish Aerospace Indonesia (TAI Indonesia) with Indonesian industry and universities benefiting from activities such as final assembly of the Anka UAVs as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations.
Jakarta has expressed an overt interest in MALE-class UAVs for several years, with state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) unveiling an indigenously developed MALE UAV development called the Elang Hitam (Black Eagle) in 2019. However, more recent reports have indicated that the project – originally intended to fulfil the requirements of the armed forces – has been shelved in favour of off-the-shelf options from the international market.
TAI will reportedly build the first six Anka UAVs in Türkiye, while the remainder will be locally assembled by PTDI in Indonesia.
The TNI-AU reportedly ordered around six CASC CH-4B UAVs which have been equipped with satellite communications systems to extend their operating range to 1,080 nautical miles (2,000km). The TNI-AU is believed to be the first Southeast Asian air force to possess an armed UAV capability, having received AR-2 precision guided missiles for the CH-4B fleet in April 2021.
An electronic warfare pod, possibly for communications or signals intelligence gathering missions, has also been observed equipped to at least one of the TNI-AU’s CH-4 UAVs.
by Jr Ng
