Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Indonesia Launches Domestically-built Armed UAV Program
Indonesia’s first large UAV is due to fly for the first time this year, with production planned to get under way in 2024.
The first prototype of the new PUNA MALE UAV was rolled out at PT DI’s facility at Bandung in West Java. (Photo: PT DI)
The first prototype of the new PUNA MALE UAV was rolled out at PT DI’s facility at Bandung in West Java. (Photo: PT DI)

State-owned Indonesian aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) unveiled a domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on December 30. Designed to meet the requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), the UAV bears a strong resemblance to the Chinese CASC CH-4, which is in operation with the TNI-AU in small numbers. The vehicle has yet to be named but is referred to as the Pesawat Udara Nir Awak jenis Medium Altitude Long Endurance (PUNA MALE, unmanned MALE aircraft).