Playing Drones At The Mandalika Circuit? Prepare To Be Paralyzed By The NTB Police

NTB Police personnel with anti-drone jammers monitor pilots playing drones at the Mandalika Circuit/ Photo: Antara

LOMBOK - A total of 21 unmanned aircraft or drones were disabled by the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police (Polda) during the 2022 MotoGP Pre-season test in the sky at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, 10-12 February 2022.

"This action is to provide a sense of security for the racers and organizers of the Mandalika MotoGP," said Head of Public Relations of the NTB Polda Kombes Pol Artanto, at a press conference at the Indonesian Media Center (MCI) MotoGP Mandalika 2022, Sunday, February 13.

Artanto said all of the drones were forcibly taken down with special drone signal jammers (anti-drone jammers) with a detection capability of up to 2 kilometers belonging to the Police Mobile Brigade Corps, which is seconded to the NTB Police.

"This special team is stationed on several hills around the Mandalika Circuit," explained Artanto.

The existence of this drone, continued Artanto, interfered with the helicopter that was about to fly. This policy cannot be separated from the agreement between the NTB Police with the organizers and other related parties.

"Wild drones that fly without permission from the MotoGP organizers are not allowed to fly because they will interfere with activities on the track. We have appealed to residents not to fly drones without permission," said Artanto.

The NTB Regional Police appealed and fostered those who had carried out these dangerous actions.

"Currently, the form is only in the form of a warning. During the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, March 18-20 2022, if it is repeated again, strict action will be taken," he said.

The presence of drones when the second MotoGP series is held at the Mandalika Circuit will endanger the helicopters flying to monitor the course of the race. The NTB Police will conduct drone patrols on the "race day".

"If a wild drone is found and approaches the circuit, the object will be immediately disabled," he said.