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The Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Air Force plan to deploy a military drone squadron at Anang Busra Air Force Base in early 2027 to monitor border security in North Kalimantan.
TARAKAN, Thursday (5/11/2026), the Ministry of Defense and the Indonesian Air Force Headquarters plan to establish a military drone squadron at Anang Busra Air Force Base in early 2027 to strengthen aerial surveillance across North Kalimantan.
Commander of Anang Busra Air Force Base Air First Marshal Andreas A. Dhewo disclosed the plan during a narcotics case press conference in Tarakan on Thursday. The squadron will operate unmanned aerial systems to detect and track security threats along the border corridor.
"In the near future, likely in early 2027, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia and the Air Force Headquarters will inaugurate an air squadron at Anang Busra Airbase equipped with military drones," said Andreas.
Andreas explained that drone technology will support aerial observation against activities that disrupt regional security. The operational deployment will remain open to support requests from the North Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kaltara), the National Narcotics Agency of North Kalimantan (BNNP), and other related institutions.
"The presence of these military drones will greatly assist aerial observation and reconnaissance. This support can be utilized to identify various potential security threats in North Kalimantan," said Andreas.
Key targets include illegal fishing and illegal logging in remote border areas. The aircraft will also assist in monitoring transnational organized crime syndicates operating across land and maritime borders.
"Drones can be used to support surveillance against illegal fishing, illegal logging, and transnational crimes such as drug smuggling, illicit narcotics distribution, and human trafficking," Andreas said.
According to Andreas, aerial surveillance data will strengthen cross-sector law enforcement in the border territory. Tackling cross-border criminal networks requires systematic cooperation among military and civilian agencies.
The deployment aligns with defense modernization and legal air domain governance under UU Pengelolaan Ruang Udara. The air service has also prepared specialist personnel through institutional training programs at Skadik 103 Tasikmalaya.
Andreas emphasized that the readiness of the Indonesian Air Force extends beyond housing the drone fleet. All military ranks within the Indonesian National Armed Forces remain prepared to collaborate with regional police, drug enforcement units, and ministerial bodies.
"If Polda Kaltara, BNNP, or other agencies need aerial reconnaissance support, we stand ready to coordinate and assist based on field needs," said Andreas.
The military drone squadron at Anang Busra Air Force Base is scheduled for official inauguration in early 2027, with coordination protocols being arranged alongside partner agencies ahead of deployment.
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