August 16, 2026 | 04:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing the ecosystem for the N219 aircraft and its amphibious N219A variant as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to establish an air ambulance service for remote areas.
BRIN Chairperson Arif Satria said the agency is working with state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia to advance the aircraft technology for future medical evacuation and logistics operations.
“To support the vision of flying ambulances and future medical logistics, BRIN is building on Indonesia’s aerospace technology capabilities by developing the N219 and its amphibious N219A variant,” Arif told Antara in Jakarta on Sunday.
The N219 is equipped with Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from relatively short runways. Its amphibious variant is designed to operate from both land and water, potentially allowing medical evacuations in Indonesia’s remote and island regions, Arif said.
BRIN Also Develops Long-Endurance Drones
Speaking to Antara, BRIN also said it is developing a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft as part of its broader aerospace technology program.
The unmanned aircraft is designed to remain airborne for up to 24 hours and has a Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) control range of around 2,000 kilometers, Arif said.
He said the long-endurance platform could support a range of critical missions, including tactical monitoring and, in the future, emergency logistics operations.
The development comes as the government explores ways to improve access to health services in remote parts of Indonesia, particularly in areas where transportation infrastructure remains limited.
Prabowo Plans Air Ambulances for Remote Areas
Prabowo previously said the government would prepare air ambulances using helicopters and small aircraft to speed up medical evacuations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
The president has described air ambulances as one of the measures needed to address disparities in access to healthcare.
Some Indonesians still have to travel seven to nine hours to reach medical facilities, including pregnant women who need emergency care during childbirth, Prabowo said.
“We will also provide air ambulances, with helicopters and small aircraft that can land on grass fields, sandy areas and riverbanks, so that no one is left without a way to be evacuated when they are sick,” Prabowo said while presenting the government’s introduction and statement on the 2027 State Budget Bill and its financial note on Friday, August 14.
How 2006 Pangandaran Tsunami Reached Height of Coconut Tree
5 hari lalu
The true magnitude of the 2006 Pangandaran earthquake reached an equivalent of 8.7, which was stronger than originally recorded.
BRIN Chief Showcases Nuclear Reactor Development to Prabowo
9 hari lalu
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing nuclear and space technology.
The Domino Effect of Forest and Land Fires
9 hari lalu
Forest and land fires are expanding and showing no signs of subsiding. The risk of economic, social, and political turmoil is increasing.
BRIN Presents ANG Technology to Prabowo as LPG Alternative
10 hari lalu
BRIN will present adsorbed natural gas (ANG) technology to President Prabowo as a potential LPG alternative. What is ANG technology?
What BRIN Experts Say About Mass Fish Deaths in Bali Lake
11 hari lalu
BRIN has revealed the suspected cause of the mass death of tens of tons of fish in Lake Batur, Bangli Regency, Bali in late July.
Indonesia Develops Virus-Free Garlic Seed Technology to Cut Imports
12 hari lalu
Indonesia's National Research & Innovation Agency (BRIN) & Gadjah Mada University (UGM) are developing tech to make high-quality garlic seeds.
New Species of Begonia Discovered in West Sumatra
19 hari lalu
A team of researchers has successfully described a new species of Begonia from West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Indonesia Discovers 18 Rare Coelacanths in Major Conservation Breakthrough
20 hari lalu
The study indicates the ecological importance of Talise Island in Indonesia for the survival of the coelacanth species.
Indonesia's BRIN Develops Contactless Radar to Monitor Heartbeat, Breathing
20 hari lalu
Using radar can be done without direct contact and can also be used to monitor more than one person at a time. What are the results of the research conducted by the BRIN team?
BRIN Researcher Warns 2026 El Nino Stronger Than 2023
21 hari lalu
The phenomenon of El Nino this year has grown stronger than El Nino 2023, says BRIN researcher.
