Indonesian Air Force Activates Nurawak Aircraft Education Squadron In Tasikmalaya

The Indonesian Air Force has reactivated the education squadron for unmanned aircraft operators (PTTA), Education Squadron (Skadik) 103/PTTA Wing Education (Wingdik) 100/Fellow in Tasikmalaya, West Java.

Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo came directly to Tasikmalaya, leading the inauguration ceremony of the 103/PTTA Education Squadron at Wiriadinata Air Base (Lanud), Tasikmalaya.

"We are grateful that today we were able to reactivate Skadik 103 to meet the demands for increased professionalism of PTTA personnel. As stated in the decision of KSAU (TNI AU Chief of Staff) Number KEP-159-IV 2023, the 103 Education Squadron starting today has been officially reactivated and has started operating as a PTTA pilot education squadron," said Marshal Fadjar as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 22.

He explained that the use of unmanned aircraft (drones) is currently a game changer in modern combat.

Fadjar gave an example of several battles that took advantage of drones, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The ability to optimize PTTA is one of the important requirements to realize the Indonesian Air Force as an Air Force that is respected in the region. Together, in order to prepare human resources (human resources) for the TNI AU PTTA, PTTA personnel have been trained at the Adisucipto Air Force Air Force Aviation School (Pangkalan TNI AU) in recent years," said the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (Kasau).

However, educational squadrons that function specifically for awakdrone need to be optimized so that the Indonesian Air Force reactivates Skadik 103/PTTA.

The KSAU conveyed that the 103/PTTA Skadik in Tasikmalaya was strengthened by the UAV-D, the drone coach/supervision currently owned by the Indonesian Air Force. The UAV-D is a drone whose technology is made in France and purchased by Indonesia from PT Indo Pacific Communication & Defense (IPCD) which is centered in Jakarta.

"Gradually it will be equipped with various platforms and other systems in supporting PTTA pilot education in the future. Of course, gradually we will continue to complete these various facilities in accordance with technological advances and demands for strategic environmental developments. I am optimistic about the readiness of the unit, the readiness of defense equipment, and also other supporting infrastructure facilities, so Skadik 103 is ready to join the operational ranks of the Indonesian Air Force to carry out the tasks that await," said Fadjar Prasetyo.

He also advised the Skadik Commander 103 to prioritize safety and care for facilities and infrastructure, especially defense equipment in units.

The 103/PTTA Education Squadron is a unit under the auspices of the 100/Terbang Education Wing Adisutjipto Air Base. Wingdik 100/Terbang currently oversees Skadik 101, 102, 103, and 105.

Skadik 103 was originally an advanced pilot education squadron that was the driver of the MK-53 Hawk fighter aircraft. The name of the education squadron since 1985 has changed to Air Squadron 15.

However, at this time, the name was reused to train the crewless aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force.