BRIN, Dirgantara Indonesia Partner to Advance Aerospace Technology

KBRN, Jakarta: The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration between research and industrial application in the aerospace sector.

The partnership is expected to ensure that Indonesia’s aviation products are firmly grounded in research, helping the country remain competitive in the global market.

PTDI president director Gita Amperiawan said continuous development is essential for any product to remain sustainable in the market. He described the agreement as a crucial opportunity to align BRIN’s research capabilities with the aerospace industry's practical needs. “We in the industry warmly welcome the support from the head of BRIN in signing this MoU on research and the utilization of aerospace technology,” Gita said on Thursday, January 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that by sharing industrial challenges as feedback for BRIN’s researchers, the two institutions could transform infrastructure and expertise into practical aviation solutions.

The partnership builds on earlier cooperation that focused on the MALE unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the N219 aircraft. It now encompasses a broader range of domestic aviation technologies.

Under unmanned systems, the collaboration will advance the development of specialized drones, including the MALE, Wulung, and Alap-Alap models. In fixed-wing aircraft, research will enhance the N219 and its variants, as well as improve light aircraft and the established C212 series.

The agreement also covers future mobility, with research into Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to develop modern transportation solutions for Indonesia’s growing metropolitan areas.

BRIN head Arif Satria expressed optimism that the partnership would mark a milestone in Indonesia’s technological progress. He emphasized that aircraft often symbolize a nation’s technological standing.

By pursuing what he called a “leapfrog strategy,” Arif said Indonesia could produce high-quality aircraft that meet government standards, thereby creating a captive market for domestic products. “Hopefully, the signing of this MoU will make our collaboration even more productive, and our joint work can provide new hope for Indonesia’s technological development,” he said. ***