RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Industry continues to accelerate technological transformation in the industrial sector to enhance competitiveness and drive national economic growth. One of the technologies increasingly adopted by industry players is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for aerial surveys, mapping, data analysis, and cargo or logistics operations.

“The utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles through drones has now become an essential service widely used in agriculture, plantations, forestry, mining, energy generation, and many other sectors to improve production efficiency and field supervision. This advanced technology delivers accurate mapping results,” said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in a statement in Jakarta on Monday, 23 February 2026.

Drones are generally deployed in aerial mapping surveys, providing detailed geographic information. Such surveys can present regional profiles, spatial capacity, demographic conditions, potential development areas, and other critical data, all accessible online. Users are able to monitor their areas in greater detail through aerial perspectives.

Agus noted that as industrial technology advances, more small and medium industries (SMIs) are entering the UAV technology services sector. He commended SMI drone service providers for helping industry players—particularly smaller enterprises—adopt advanced drone technology within their production processes.

This aligns with the consistent efforts of the Directorate General of Small, Medium, and Multivarious Industries (IKMA) in fostering drone service SMIs to strengthen their competitiveness and expand market reach.

According to Director General of IKMA, Reni Yanita, the Ministry is currently mentoring 24 small and medium industries operating in drone technology services. The assistance ranges from strengthening internal company capacity to expanding market access and product development.

On 5–6 February 2026, the Directorate General of IKMA visited several assisted drone SMEs in Yogyakarta, including CV AMX UAV Technologies, PT Inderaja Teknik Indonesia, PT Karya Solusi Angkasa, PT Aerotek Global Inovasi, and PT Inovasi Solusi Transportasi Indonesia.

“The Ministry of Industry is working to accelerate these startups as technology solution providers for industries and the public. Their products—both UAV hardware and software—must be directly implementable by industry players, including SMEs,” Reni stated.

Support programs provided through the Directorate of Metal, Machinery, Electronics, and Transportation Equipment SMEs include participation in the Startup for Industry program (Tech Link – Investment Summit and Mentoring) in 2023–2024, Domestic Component Level (TKDN) certification assistance in 2024, and SNI ISO 9001 facilitation in 2024.

Further initiatives include participation in the Manufacturing Indonesia Series (MFI) 2024, collaboration in TechPlanter with Leave a Nest Japan in 2024, the Gebyar IKMA Exhibition 2024, and involvement in the China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park in 2025.

“With this assistance, drone SMEs gain broader exposure within the industrial ecosystem, expand their networks, and explore new collaboration opportunities with industry players, educational institutions, and strategic partners relevant to their solutions,” Reni emphasized.

Director of Metal, Machinery, Electronics, and Transportation Equipment SMEs, Dini Hanggandari, added that participation in exhibitions allows drone SMEs to directly engage with visitors, gather feedback, identify real industry needs, and explore technology application opportunities in manufacturing and SME sectors.

Participation in MFI 2024, she noted, has also sharpened strategies for strengthening business direction and product development, while encouraging broader contributions within the industrial ecosystem. Drone SMEs were also given opportunities to initiate market expansion in BRICS countries, including South Africa, and develop Smart Spectrum products.

Dini expressed appreciation for the continued progress of drone SMEs under IKMA’s guidance, highlighting their ability to produce advanced unmanned aerial systems tailored to evolving market demands.