Combat drones from Turkey: Indonesia buys twelve Bayraktar Kizilelma UCAV for its air force

The Indonesian armed forces intend to acquire twelve Turkish Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) – the corresponding contract was signed recently. In addition, there are options for forty-eight more aircraft. Global Data, a platform for market research and productivity analysis, regards the purchase of the combat drones as a transformative leap in Indonesia's defence strategy that strengthens the country's air warfare capabilities.

Indonesia is likely to spend around EUR 2.3 billion on the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the next ten years. This is according to the new Global Data report “The Global Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market Forecast 2026-2036”. Notably, about 70 per cent of these funds are expected to go to platforms of Turkish manufacture – an indication of how much the country trusts Turkish defence technology.

Indonesia has significantly expanded its air warfare capabilities in recent years through the procurement of several next-generation military platforms. The deepening of defence relations between Indonesia and Turkey has contributed substantially to the country's efforts to modernise its armed forces.— Venkatesh Kandlikar, aerospace and defence analyst at Global Data

Local production and technology transfer

The framework agreement between Turkey and Indonesia goes beyond a mere purchase. It also provides for technology transfer, local production and a maintenance infrastructure. This drives the expansion of the country's own aerospace industry and at the same time strengthens Indonesia's defence posture in the Indo-Pacific region through the deployment of next-generation air warfare capabilities.

The Indonesian defence company Republikorp is to build up the local capacities: from airframe assembly and avionics integration to weapon system certification and comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. This is based on earlier joint production initiatives with Turkey around the Bayraktar TB2, TB3 and Akinci platforms, above all with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar. With each follow-on programme, manufacturing know-how, quality assurance protocols and supply chain management capabilities were transferred step by step.

This gradual approach to vertical integration creates sustainable domestic competencies, lowers long-term procurement costs and positions Indonesia as a regional aerospace hub capable of supporting allied nations— Venkatesh Kandlikar

Combat drones teaming with the Kaan

The Kizilelma purchase should also be seen in the light of the contract signed last year for the procurement of the 5th-generation Kaan fighter aircraft from Turkey. Indonesia thus apparently wants to invest in the Turkish air defence ecosystem rather than in individual platforms. Kaan and Kizilelma can be used in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), which could give the Indonesian Air Force a considerable operational and technological advantage.

Geographically, Indonesia lies close to an important maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Malacca. In the event of a future conflict involving Asian powers – China in particular – the Strait of Malacca could become another flashpoint that could paralyse the global economy, with far worse effects than those we are currently experiencing from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz— Venkatesh Kandlikar

By modernising its military capabilities, Indonesia is preparing for such an eventuality and securing its ability to protect its interests in the region for the future.— Venkatesh Kandlikar, summarising