Indonesia, Turkey Collaborate To Produce Light-weight, High-altitude Drones

Indonesia’s aircraft company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) are collaborating to produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are capable of flying at a maximum height of 40,000 feet.

The UAV project is expected to be completed within one to three years, PTDI production director Arie Wibowo was quoted as saying by Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Arie further said the purpose of collaboration is to produce lightweight UAVs and to reduce dependency on manufacturers in Western countries.

“TAI has lengthy experience in building high-altitude UAVs. So we will collaborate with them in the project,” said PTDI president director Elfien Goentoro in Bandung on Monday.

TAI has developed UAVs or drones that are used by the Turkish Military and operated at a height of 20,000 feet. They are capable of being equipped with night vision and weapons systems.

Elfien added that PTDI was currently developing a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV.

The report added that PTDI and TAI are also planning to develop CN-235 and N219 planes, PTDI’s two flagship products.