Elang Hitam Drone Targets Certification in 2027, Proposed as National Strategic Project
RNS
September 20, 2026
AIRSPACE REVIEW – After a long period out of the spotlight,
Elang Hitam, envisioned as Indonesia’s first domestically developed
Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) drone, was showcased by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) at the TNI Fair around the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on September 19–20, 2026.
The drone was displayed in the outdoor exhibition area at the Indonesian Ministry of Defense booth, which featured several domestic defense companies. The aircraft appeared smaller than its actual size because the unit on display was a
1:2-scale mock-up.
PTDI Vice President of Business Development & Marketing Heber M.F. Panjaitan said the Elang Hitam MALE drone has been proposed for inclusion as a
National Strategic Project and is currently pursuing certification from the Ministry of Defense, targeted for 2027.
“The Elang Hitam MALE drone has just been proposed for inclusion as a National Strategic Project. We conducted its maiden flight in August 2025 at Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, but it has not yet received certification from the Ministry of Defense. The target is to obtain it by next year,” Heber told
Airspace Review at the exhibition.
Heber added that the development of Elang Hitam has faced several challenges, particularly related to funding. So far, PTDI has financed the drone’s development and maintenance using its own funds.
“Development is continuing, but we cannot move at full speed. We have also submitted a proposal to
Danantara for additional investment to support its development,” Heber said.
Targeting Operational Deployment in 2028
Regarding the target for the drone to become operational in
2028, in line with the Ministry of Defense’s strategic plan, PTDI is optimistic that it can complete the certification process for the MALE drone.
However, PTDI acknowledged that it needs to build additional prototypes for flight testing and other trials in accordance with the aircraft’s design, which will require additional funding.
PTDI has so far built two Elang Hitam units. The first was a mock-up unveiled during the drone’s initial
rollout in 2019, while the second was the prototype used for its maiden flight in 2025.
“To this day, we continue to maintain the flight-test prototype, including its engine, flight-control system, ground-control station, and onboard systems,” Heber explained.
Regarding reports that development of Elang Hitam had been redirected toward the civilian market, Heber said this was not entirely accurate.
He emphasized that the Elang Hitam MALE drone being developed by PTDI is designed to meet
military requirements.
Development for civilian applications, meanwhile, represents an additional market opportunity that could be pursued through cooperation with organizations such as the Ministry of Forestry or other government agencies.
“Civilian requirements represent an opportunity within the existing MALE market. The program has not been shifted from military to civilian applications,” Heber emphasized.
Elang Hitam Drone: Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Elang Hitam is a
MALE-class Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by PTDI together with a national consortium to strengthen Indonesia’s technological self-reliance in the defense sector.
Designed specifically to conduct
Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions and capable of being equipped with weapons, the drone is intended to play a strategic role in monitoring border areas and Indonesia’s outermost regions, as well as securing maritime routes against infiltration and other illegal activities.
In terms of its design and dimensions, Elang Hitam is relatively large for a surveillance and combat UAV.
The aircraft measures
8.73 meters long and 3.27 meters high, with a
16-meter wingspan and a wing area of
12.8 square meters.
With a
maximum gross take-off and landing weight of 1,300 kg, the drone can carry up to
420 liters of fuel and a
payload of up to 300 kg, allowing it to accommodate various radar sensors and weapon systems.
Elang Hitam’s range and flight efficiency are also designed to support long-endurance operations.
The drone can remain airborne for
just under 30 hours and has a
Line-of-Sight (LOS) operational radius of up to 250 km.
Elang Hitam is designed to operate at cruising altitudes of
3,000–5,000 meters, with a maximum ceiling of
7,200 meters.
In terms of speed, the drone has a cruising speed range of
50–180 km/h and can reach a maximum cruising speed of
235 km/h.
For runway operations, Elang Hitam requires
less than 1,000 meters for take-off and landing at maximum weight under sea-level conditions.
The combination of these capabilities positions Elang Hitam as a symbol of Indonesia’s technological progress and as an aerial surveillance platform designed to help safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty.
(RNS)
AIRSPACE REVIEW - Lama tak terdengar kabarnya, Elang Hitam yang digadang-gadang menjadi drone MALE (Medium-Altitude Long Endurance)
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