Photo: Launch of Unmanned Aircraft Made by PT DI

Prototype Drone Medium Made by PTDI for surveillance and eradication of illegal fishing. Photo: Doc. PTDI

Director of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) (PTDI) Elfien Goentoro accompanied by Head of BPPT Hammam Riza introduced Prototype of Nir Awak Aircraft (PUNA) type of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) at PTDI hangar, Bandung, West Java, Monday.


PTDI President Director Elfien Goentoro (left) along with BPPT Head Hammam Riza (right) reviewing the Prototype Drone Medium Made by PTDI.

The Male drone prototype is capable of flying for 24-30 hours with a cruising altitude of 3,000 to 6,000 meters intended to oversee the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.

When operating, the drone will be used for air surveillance of threats in border areas, terrorism, smuggling, piracy, and theft of natural resources such as illegal logging and illegal fishing.


Prototype Drone Medium Made by PTDI for surveillance and eradication of illegal fishing. Photo: dock. PTDI


Officers examine the Aircraft Nir Awak (PUNA) type of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) at PT DI (Persero), Bandung, West Java, Monday.


Aircraft Nir Awak (PUNA) type Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) in the hangar of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero), Bandung, West Java, Monday.


Aircraft Nir Awak (PUNA) type Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) in the hangar of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero), Bandung, West Java, Monday.


Visitors see the Aircraft Nir Awak (PUNA) type Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) in the hangar of PT DI (Persero), Bandung, West Java, Monday.


Officers examine the Aircraft Nir Awak (PUNA) type of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) at PT DI (Persero), Bandung, West Java, Monday.



The state-owned aircraft factory PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) introduced the public to its first long-range military drone scheduled for its maiden flight in 2020 and fully operational in 2024.

 "Next year we hope to see the inaugural flight," PTDI President Director Elfien Goentoro told a drone delivery at the PTDI hangar in Bandung, Monday, December 30.

 The development of medium altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (MALE) unmanned (UAV) was initiated by the Ministry of Defense research and development team in 2015. This project is a joint consortium between PTDI, the Ministry of Defense, the Indonesian Air Force, BPPT, ITB, and the LEN Industry PT .

The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (Lapan) will join the consortium in 2020. The 8.65-meter long military drone is said to be capable of taking off and landing short distances within 700 meters of the runway. It will also fly at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet with a maximum speed of up to 235 km / h, and carry a payload of up to 300 kilograms. Military UAVs will also be able to keep flying for up to 30 hours.

This drone is expected to be compatible with the CH-4 China which has just been purchased by the Indonesian air force and will fill 2 future military squadrons of UAVs. It is planned to be fully operational by 2024 and is designed to carry a 70-millimeter Air Fin Air Rocket (FFAR) military rocket produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia.