According to Indonesian firm Republikorp, Turkish drone maker Baykar will supply Indonesia with 60 Bayraktar TB-3 and 9 AKINCI drones.

Turkish news agency Anadolu also reported the news, adding that the procurement deal was signed by Baykar CEO, Haluk Bayraktar, and founder of Indonesian firm Republikorp, Norman Joesoef, just after Turkish President Erdogan's visit to Indonesia (February 11-12). In its statement, Republikorp highlighted that “a Joint Venture Company (JVC) will be established in Indonesia, focusing on the manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance of UAVs.”

The Bayraktar TB-3 is the advanced version of the successful TB-2, optimized for operations from naval platforms. Noting the combat performances of the latter in conflicts like the Nagorno-Karabakh war and the Ukrainian crisis, the TB-3 enhances these achievements including recent technologies and features. Having entered service in the Turkish Armed Forces since 2023, the TB-3 retains its predecessor’s Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) classification. It also completed open-sea shipboard trials and conducted its first successful flight test to take off and land on the Turkish ship TCG ANADOLU in November 2024.

Like the TB-2, the TB-3 is an armed reconnaissance drone: besides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the UAV can indeed conduct offensive operations, carrying various smart munitions on its 6 underwing hardpoints. Powered by a single TEI PD170 engine, it is able to reach a top speed of 185 mph (298 km/h) and can operate at altitudes exceeding 25,000 feet for over 21 hours. Thanks to its Line-Of-Sight and Beyond-Line-Of-Sight communications capabilities, the TB-3 can operate from very remote distances, autonomously taking off from and landing on a drone/aircraft carrier. It is equipped with advanced imaging systems, infrared sensors, radar, and target detection capabilities.

Bayraktar AKINCI is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance UAV which can carry electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar. If required, it can also switch to conduct air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions as well. According to Baykar, AKINCI is equipped with “dual artificial intelligence avionics which support signal processing, sensor fusion and situational awareness in real time.”

After this deal, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) will see a significant improvement on their military capabilities. They will soon have large, powerful, and technologically advanced drones, suited for diverse mission profiles and capable of having significant impact in addressing any threats to Jakarta.

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