IndoDefence 2025: Rajawali 500 Drone Emerges as a Tactical Solution for Indonesian Army
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At the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition held in Jakarta from 11 to 14 June, Indonesian company PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada unveiled a new addition to its portfolio: the Rajawali 500 cargo drone, which is expected to undergo field evaluations by the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) soon. This development comes at a time when the need for agile logistics and evacuation capabilities in hard-to-reach areas is becoming increasingly relevant to military operations, particularly within the complex terrain of the Indonesian archipelago.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Powered by aviation gasoline, the UAV has a maximum endurance of three hours, a top speed of 140 km/h, and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The Rajawali 500 is a tandem-rotor cargo drone designed to carry payloads ranging from 200 to 250 kg, depending on the source. It is configured to transport various types of loads: underslung, containerised, or air-droppable. The drone is intended for operations in locations where helicopter landings are not feasible. Powered by aviation gasoline, the UAV has a maximum endurance of three hours, a top speed of 140 km/h, and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet. Its compact size (3.6 meters in length, 1.45 meters in width, and 1.85 meters in height) and 5.4-meter rotor diameter allow it to operate from constrained spaces.
PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada confirmed that the Rajawali 500 is based on a commercially available Chinese platform, though the original manufacturer was not disclosed due to commercial sensitivity. At the national level, the UAV is presented as a response to the logistical challenges posed by Indonesia’s dispersed geography and rugged terrain. Its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability makes it a potential alternative to conventional helicopters in conflict-prone zones such as Papua, where manned aircraft are vulnerable to attack and ground access is limited.
During the exhibition, the company’s owner, Palma Henfibiant Putra, stated that the Rajawali 500 is suitable for transporting supplies, evacuating casualties or the sick, and conducting humanitarian support missions. He added that stationing one drone at each security post in Papua could reduce personnel risk and enable timely medical evacuation when required.
In addition to military uses, the UAV is also envisioned for civilian applications. In the context of military operations other than war (MOOTW), the Rajawali 500 could be employed to transport agricultural inputs such as seeds or fertilisers, or to deliver construction materials in areas inaccessible by land vehicles. This dual-use role reflects an effort to integrate unmanned systems into national development strategies and support isolated communities.
The company’s CEO, M. Henry Sertianingtyas, also presented other systems developed by PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada, including a Mobile Command Control Vehicle (MCCV), a Helicopter Underwater Escape Training simulator, an aerodynamic wind tunnel, the Banshee target drone for anti-aircraft gunnery training, and the 2000TD hovercraft. The latter, measuring 12.7 meters in length and capable of cruising at 37 knots, can operate 70 cm above surfaces such as water, swamps, or sand. It is suited for riverine and coastal patrols, as well as beach landing operations in archipelagic environments where traditional watercraft are limited.
The presentation of the Rajawali 500 at Indo Defence 2025 reflects Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to adopt technologies tailored to its geographical conditions. With its ability to operate in infrastructure-deprived areas, perform critical missions without onboard personnel, and address both military and civilian needs, the Rajawali 500 marks a step in the broader modernisation of the country’s logistical capabilities and the development of its defence industry.
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At the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition held in Jakarta from 11 to 14 June, Indonesian company PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada unveiled a new addition to its portfolio: the Rajawali 500 cargo drone, which is expected to undergo field evaluations by the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) soon. This development comes at a time when the need for agile logistics and evacuation capabilities in hard-to-reach areas is becoming increasingly relevant to military operations, particularly within the complex terrain of the Indonesian archipelago.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Powered by aviation gasoline, the UAV has a maximum endurance of three hours, a top speed of 140 km/h, and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The Rajawali 500 is a tandem-rotor cargo drone designed to carry payloads ranging from 200 to 250 kg, depending on the source. It is configured to transport various types of loads: underslung, containerised, or air-droppable. The drone is intended for operations in locations where helicopter landings are not feasible. Powered by aviation gasoline, the UAV has a maximum endurance of three hours, a top speed of 140 km/h, and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet. Its compact size (3.6 meters in length, 1.45 meters in width, and 1.85 meters in height) and 5.4-meter rotor diameter allow it to operate from constrained spaces.
PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada confirmed that the Rajawali 500 is based on a commercially available Chinese platform, though the original manufacturer was not disclosed due to commercial sensitivity. At the national level, the UAV is presented as a response to the logistical challenges posed by Indonesia’s dispersed geography and rugged terrain. Its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability makes it a potential alternative to conventional helicopters in conflict-prone zones such as Papua, where manned aircraft are vulnerable to attack and ground access is limited.
During the exhibition, the company’s owner, Palma Henfibiant Putra, stated that the Rajawali 500 is suitable for transporting supplies, evacuating casualties or the sick, and conducting humanitarian support missions. He added that stationing one drone at each security post in Papua could reduce personnel risk and enable timely medical evacuation when required.
In addition to military uses, the UAV is also envisioned for civilian applications. In the context of military operations other than war (MOOTW), the Rajawali 500 could be employed to transport agricultural inputs such as seeds or fertilisers, or to deliver construction materials in areas inaccessible by land vehicles. This dual-use role reflects an effort to integrate unmanned systems into national development strategies and support isolated communities.
The company’s CEO, M. Henry Sertianingtyas, also presented other systems developed by PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada, including a Mobile Command Control Vehicle (MCCV), a Helicopter Underwater Escape Training simulator, an aerodynamic wind tunnel, the Banshee target drone for anti-aircraft gunnery training, and the 2000TD hovercraft. The latter, measuring 12.7 meters in length and capable of cruising at 37 knots, can operate 70 cm above surfaces such as water, swamps, or sand. It is suited for riverine and coastal patrols, as well as beach landing operations in archipelagic environments where traditional watercraft are limited.
The presentation of the Rajawali 500 at Indo Defence 2025 reflects Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to adopt technologies tailored to its geographical conditions. With its ability to operate in infrastructure-deprived areas, perform critical missions without onboard personnel, and address both military and civilian needs, the Rajawali 500 marks a step in the broader modernisation of the country’s logistical capabilities and the development of its defence industry.
