Jakarta, INTI - The drone industry is rapidly growing and has become a transformative technology with significant impacts across various sectors, including agriculture, mining, and logistics. Technology transfer between countries and companies has emerged as a strategic step to widely adopt this technology. In agriculture, drones are used for land mapping, monitoring soil fertility, and efficiently spraying fertilizers and pesticides. In mining, drones assist in geological surveys and monitoring hard-to-reach work areas, while in logistics, they offer new opportunities for delivering goods to remote locations. Despite its vast potential, the adoption of drone technology requires clear regulations, adequate investment, and the development of skilled human resources. Through effective collaboration between the government, industry players, and academia, the utilization of drone technology can serve as a solution to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth in the digital era.

The government's role in the drone industry is crucial, as it is responsible for establishing regulations related to drone technology licensing in Indonesia. Regulations are essential as they serve as the gateway for foreign technologies to enter the country and foster the growth of the local drone industry. Additionally, the government plays a key role in granting flight permits for drones through the regulations it implements. In an interview with Inti Media, Asha Wadya Saelan, the Vice Chairman of the Association of Unmanned Systems and Technology, confirmed that regulations are vital for the development of the drone industry in Indonesia.

"The most impactful aspect is actually the government's support for TKDN (Domestic Component Level). This is about how the government helps us protect and sustain the local industry to remain competitive. The government has been very helpful in limiting the entry of foreign industries into Indonesia," said Mr. Asha.

Role of the Ministry of Transportation

Support from the Ministry of Transportation is one of the key aspects in the development of drone technology in Indonesia. According to Mr. Asha, the Ministry of Transportation has issued several regulations concerning the use of airspace, including guidelines for drone operations. These regulations serve as a foundation for industry players to use drone technology safely and efficiently, while also ensuring that drone activities do not interfere with commercial air traffic.

“The Ministry of Transportation has issued several regulations regarding airspace usage, which adequately govern how drones should be operated,” said Mr. Asha.

With clear regulations in place, it is expected that the use of drones in various sectors, such as logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure surveying, can proceed in an integrated and orderly manner, while supporting the growth of the digital economy in Indonesia.

Role of the Ministry of Industry

The Ministry of Industry plays a strategic role in supporting the development of local industries, particularly through the implementation of the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) policy. According to Mr. Asha, the TKDN policy is an important step taken by the government to protect the domestic industry from the dominance of foreign products that are freely circulating in the market.

“The Ministry of Industry, one of which is TKDN, is how the government helps us protect domestic products from foreign products that are freely sold,” said Mr. Asha.

By applying TKDN standards, the government not only encourages the use of local components in production but also provides opportunities for local industry players to become more competitive. This step is expected to strengthen the national industry ecosystem, drive innovation, and create new job opportunities across various strategic sectors.

Role of the Ministry of Communication and Digital

In supporting regulations related to drone operations, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) plays a crucial role, particularly in frequency allocation. According to Mr. Asha, one of the challenges previously faced was the lack of official frequencies for drone operations. However, the government has now provided legal frequency slots, which broadens the opportunities for safe and integrated drone utilization.

“Komdigi deals with frequency issues, which previously we were not officially granted a frequency, but now, thank God, we have been given legal slots, so drone operations are becoming more open,” said Mr. Asha.

This policy not only ensures compliance with national standards but also instills confidence in industry players to expand drone usage in various sectors such as logistics, agriculture, and defense.

Role of the Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI)

Security in drone operations is a crucial aspect that requires coordination with law enforcement agencies, such as the Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). According to Mr. Asha, communication with the Police and TNI is necessary to ensure that drone usage stays within the legal framework and does not endanger national security.

“For security, we communicate with the Police and TNI,” said Mr. Asha.

This coordination includes monitoring drone usage in sensitive areas, controlling operations in restricted zones, and preventing potential misuse of drone technology. With this collaboration, it is expected that drone operations can be conducted in an orderly manner, supporting both civil and strategic national interests.