REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia`s Minister for Research and Technology, Gusti Muhammad Hatta, said the country would build an unmanned drone squadron in 2013 for special missions and national defence. The unmanned drone squadron would also be able to create artificial rain, said the minister.

"The unmanned drone squadron will be able to create artificial rain. It can be used to monitor active and dormant volcanoes, and illegal fishing and logging activities," said the minister recently.

The development of the unmanned drone squadron is one of the main objectives of The National Technology Awakening Day, which will be held this year. In addition, rockets and satellites will be developed as part of The National Technology Awakening Day.

The Ministry will work closely with the National Aeronautics and Space Institute (LAPAN) and the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) to build the drone squadron. "LAPAN has built one small drone, while BPPT has developed three classes of drones: small, medium and large," said the minister.

The Ministry of Defence would provide funds to build the drone squadron, Hatta said. Moreover, the Research and Technology Ministry is now developing technologies to manufacture tanks. 

"We have created panzers; now, we want to develop tanks," said the minister.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika