Indonesia to receive ScanEagle drones, helicopter upgrades from US grant

An Insitu Scan Eagle 2 UAV in a mobile launching unit,

The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) is expected to receive up to 14 Insitu ScanEagle small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and upgrades for 3 Bell 412 helicopters from the US government.

 The Indonesian government has approved the acceptance of the grant, which is part of the US government's Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) which provides assistance to Southeast Asian country partners in improving their capabilities to secure their maritime borders.


The deal, worth a total of around US$34.6 million, was first offered by the US government in 2014, and will provide the TNI-AL with improved surveillance capabilities. The equipment will require further integration to existing systems and data security worth US$720,000 and will be done by state-owned electronics company PT LEN Industi.

The Insitu ScanEagle UAV are small and launched by mobile launching units or from ships, and has an endurance of at least 24 hours. Meanwhile, there are not much details on the upgrade for the Bell 412 helicopters but it is most likely to include installation of onboard surveillance equipment like electro-optical sensors.


Aside from Indonesia, other countries that accepted grant from the US government through the MSI program includes the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.


[1] The Jakarta Post
[2] Jane's Navy International

[3] Defense World
Indonesia to receive ScanEagle drones, helicopter upgrades from US grant Indonesia to receive ScanEagle drones, helicopter upgrades from US grant Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on February 29, 2020 Rating: 5

No comments