Jakarta, IDM – The ever-changing threat landscape make multifunctional platforms such as drones a necessity in preparing for various combat scenarios. Modern drones have become increasingly sophisticated because they are equipped with the latest military technology that can deliver advantages in combat due to their surveillance and attack capabilities. The use of these equipment can also reduce the risks for personnel because the platform is remotely operated.
Apart from their multitude of capabilities, drones have become more cost efficient, thus cheaper to operate and maintain. This versatility was one consideration that factored into the Indonesian Defense Ministry’s (Kemhan) decision to purchase Turkey’s ANKA drones.
On July 31, 2023, Kemhan announced the procurement of 12 Turkish Aerospace Industries-ANKA worth US$300 million. The contract was signed on February 3, 2023. The deal also included integrated logistics support (ILS), ground support and test equipment (GS&TE), flight simulators, hangar and training infrastructure, as well as a 2-year (up to 600 flying hours) warranty and technical support.
“The contract is currently in the activation process at the Finance Ministry (Kemenkeu) and the delivery of the 12 ANKA UAV units will be carried out over a 32-month period after the contract becomes effective,” read a statement from Kemhan.
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Turkish Aerospace Industries President and CEO Prof. Temet Kotil has confirmed the said purchase to IDM on the sidelines of the 2023 International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) on July 27. Kotil said that in the first phase, six units of ANKA drones would be produced in Turkey. Meanwhile, the other six will be assembled in Indonesia in collaboration with PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) through a technology transfer scheme.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been used since 1849. At that time, Austria attacked Venice using around 200 unmanned air balloons filled with explosives. However, it was only decades later, during the second World War, that UAV technology developed rapidly. This was when the British invented the remotely controlled DH82 Queen Bee for military training, which was later repurposed as weapons in actual warfare.
The transfer of technology will open up window of opportunities for Indonesia to build a strong, self-reliant and competitive defense industry which is in line with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s vision and directive.
On this matter, TNI-AU spokesperson (Kadispenau) Air First Marshal R. Agung Sasongkojati said the Indonesian Air Force has undertaken various preparations to operate ANKA drones and other types of UAV in the future. One of which is by reactivating the Education Squadron (Skadik) 103/PTTA (UAV) headquartered at Wiriadinata AFB, Tasikmalaya, West Java.
Agung believes special attention shall be given to the development of drones in the future. It is highly crucial that national defense elements possess and are able to operate the equipment that has become a game-changer in modern warfare.
“The point is we are ready. Recently, we have reactivated UAV Education Squadron (Skadik 103) based at Wiriadinata AFB. That is part of our preparations to operate future tactical unmanned aircraft system. Drones have proven decisive in determining the outcome of a war or conflict,” said Agung on the sidelines of the 2023 Dirgantara Press Tour at Iswahjudi AFB, Wednesday (23/8).
Wingdik 100/Terbang of Skadik 103 was officially reactivated by the Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo in a military ceremony at Wiriadinata AFB. Fadjar emphasized that the squadron plays an important role in optimizing the development of UAV which has brought concrete benefits for Indonesia’s national defense.
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Technical capabilities
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) on its official website describes ANKA as an advanced medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system capable of performing day and night, all-weather reconnaissance, target detection/identification and intelligence missions; as well as engaging in electronic warfare. It features autonomous flight capability including automatic take-off and landing, even when the link is lost.
With heavy fuel propulsion, 3.25 meters in height and a wing span of 17.5 meters, it can fly for 24 hours at an altitude of 30,000 feet (around 9.1 kilometers) and carry more than 350 kilograms of payloads, including various types of weapons — anti-tank missiles, precision-guided bombs and laser-guided rockets.
Additionally, it can operate under extreme temperature, between -54 to 50 degree Celsius, and has rain and solar radiation resistance, as well as de-icing capability. Since it passed the test in December 2010, ANKA has been exported to several countries including Tunisia, Kazakhstan, Angola, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan and Chad. (Bunga Permata)