Pengembangan Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle Nasional Untuk Pertahanan Maritim Dan Penanggulangan Bencana

Abstract

Indonesia’s geographical character as an archipelagic state creates a need for capabilities that can conduct surveillance, collect information, deliver logistics, and provide an initial response across extensive areas on a sustained basis. Reliance on crewed assets presents limitations related to personnel requirements, mobilisation time, base support, operating costs, and safety risks, particularly for routine, repetitive, long-range missions or operations conducted in hazardous areas. This study aims to formulate a development direction for a national autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of supporting both maritime defence and disaster management. It employs a qualitative descriptive method with a conceptual study approach. Secondary data were collected through a literature review and document analysis and subsequently examined using needs analysis, gap analysis, and systems analysis, covering developments in USV technology, operational requirements, safety, communications, cybersecurity, and defence industry policy. The findings indicate that Indonesia has established initial capabilities in USV design, sensor integration, navigation, and control. However, development remains predominantly prototype-based and has yet to be integrated into a sustainable operational system. Therefore, the national USV should be developed as an integrated system encompassing a modular platform, control centre, layered communications, mission packages, human resources, operational procedures, phased testing, and support from the domestic defence industry. Development through a cross-agency consortium is expected to produce a common platform that can be configured for maritime surveillance, communications relay, search and rescue, initial aid delivery, and other supporting missions, while ensuring that control remains under human authority.