PT Dirgantara Indonesia's Strategy in Empowering Drones for a Robust Air Defense System

Abstract

Indonesia, as the world's largest archipelagic nation with an airspace covering 5,193,252 km², faces significant challenges in maintaining national security and territorial sovereignty. This study examines PT Dirgantara Indonesia's (PTDI) strategic approach to empowering drone technology for robust air defense systems. Using qualitative methods with literature review and meta-analysis, this research analyzes PTDI's capabilities, opportunities, and challenges in drone development. The findings reveal that drone integration can enhance airspace surveillance effectiveness by up to 40% with lower operational costs compared to conventional manned aircraft. PTDI possesses strong technical expertise in aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing facilities, and robust government support. However, challenges include dependency on imported technology components and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The strategic framework emphasizes three pillars: technological innovation, research and development collaboration, and production capacity enhancement. Through partnerships with international aerospace companies and domestic research institutions, PTDI aims to develop multi-role drones tailored to Indonesia's unique geographical and operational requirements, ultimately strengthening national defense capabilities while promoting indigenous defense industry independence