RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The national drone industry is gaining increasing attention from the Indonesian government, which sees the sector as crucial for advancing technological innovation and creating new jobs.

The Ministry of Industry is accelerating the development of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) drone ecosystem through international certification programs and expanded market access. These initiatives aim to ensure that local drone products can compete globally.

“In the future, the Ministry will continue to strengthen the drone SME development ecosystem through a holistic approach, ranging from expanding market access and enhancing technological capacity to providing protection and affirmative facilities for business operators,” said Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta on Thursday, May 7, 2026, as quoted on the ministry’s website.

Minister Agus emphasized that the drone industry is a strategic sector requiring comprehensive support. “The Ministry is committed to ensuring that drone SME operators can grow and become highly competitive in the international market,” he said.

Data from the National Industrial Information System (SIINas) shows that 15 small businesses and two medium-sized businesses in the drone sector employ 218 workers. Overall, the national drone industry ecosystem comprises 29 business units with investments totaling IDR 7.17 billion (about USD 413,610) and involving 853 workers.

“The role of SMEs in the drone industry value chain is not merely supplementary but serves as an incubator for technology innovation based on local needs,” Minister Agus added.

Director General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA), Reni Yanita, said the ISO 9001:2015 certification facilitation program for drone SMEs will run until October 2026. The program includes training, document preparation, internal audits, and assistance with external audits.

“We have selected the drone SMEs to be supported, starting from training, assistance with document preparation, internal audits, through to assistance with external audits until they obtain ISO certification,” Reni explained.

She noted that certification is essential to ensure production standards meet global market demands and to boost SMEs’ confidence in entering export markets.

The Ministry is also opening export opportunities by facilitating drone SMEs’ participation in the BRICS – Science and Innovation Incubation Park forum in Xiamen, China. The government hopes this step will expand new markets for national drone products, including in Southern Africa.

Director of Metal, Machinery, Electronics, and Transportation Equipment SMEs, Dini Hanggandari, said the Ministry has supported drone SMEs since 2023 through programs such as Startup for Industry (SFI), domestic component certification (TKDN), and participation in national and international exhibitions.

“These efforts aim to strengthen the position of drone SMEs as part of the national priority agenda for developing high-tech industries,” Dini said.

She added that the Ministry has also identified industry challenges through direct visits to businesses in Yogyakarta to formulate more targeted policies. “We want to ensure that policies truly address the needs of the industry on the ground,” she said.

With these comprehensive programs, the Ministry of Industry is optimistic that Indonesia’s drone SMEs can grow into strategic players globally while contributing significantly to strengthening the national industrial structure. ***