PT PAL Unveils Indigenous Combat Management System and Counter-Drone Technologies at Indo Defence 2025

Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL has taken a major step forward in its defense technology ambitions by unveiling its first fully indigenous Combat Management System (CMS) along with three counter-drone (C-UAS) system prototypes at the Indo Defence 2025 Expo. This development signals a shift in PT PAL's role—from shipbuilder to a full-spectrum defense technology provider—and aligns with Indonesia’s national goal to boost self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Main Highlights

• PT PAL showcased its in-house Combat Management System (CMS)

• Three new anti-drone technologies revealed:

  • High-energy laser system

  • Handheld laser gun

  • High-power microwave emitter

• The CMS will be tested on the Navy's FPB-57 patrol boats

• Full source-code control ensures deep customization for Indonesian defense needs

• System can integrate with PT LEN's existing Mandhala CMS

CMS: A New Brain for Indonesian Warships

PT PAL’s new CMS has been under development for the past three years, with support from undisclosed international strategic partners. Enjud Darojat, General Manager for Sensors, Weapons, and Command Systems at PT PAL—and a former Indonesian Navy officer—confirmed that the system was designed entirely in-house. Most importantly, PT PAL owns the full source code, allowing unrestricted adaptation and improvement based on user needs.

This CMS is set to be installed first on existing Fast Patrol Boats (FPB-57)—a class originally designed by Germany’s Lürssen and built under license by PT PAL. These small surface combatants serve as an ideal test platform before expanding to larger vessels in the Indonesian Navy’s fleet.

What sets this CMS apart is its interoperability. According to PT PAL CEO Kaharuddin Djenod, it can be combined with the Mandhala CMS developed by PT LEN, another Indonesian state-owned defense company. Mandhala has already been deployed on several TNI AL ships, including frigates and patrol vessels. The integration potential offers a pathway toward a standardized and layered command-and-control architecture across Indonesia’s sea, land, and air forces.

Powerful Counter-Drone Systems

Alongside the CMS, PT PAL also introduced three counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) aimed at addressing the growing threat of drone warfare. These include:

• High-Energy Laser System: Designed for pinpoint neutralization of drones at a distance.

• Handheld Laser Gun: Portable and tactical, offering infantry units a lightweight drone-killing option.

• High-Power Microwave Emitter: A containerized system capable of damaging electronic components not only in drones but also in enemy communication gear and even incoming missiles.

These prototypes reflect Indonesia’s push to secure its airspace and electronic battlefield, as drones and other unmanned threats become increasingly common in modern conflicts.

Strategic Vision: More Than Just Shipbuilding

This diversification reflects a broader shift in PT PAL’s strategy. As Enjud and CEO Djenod explained, building hulls alone is no longer enough. Value-added systems like sensors, weapon control platforms, and electronic warfare suites offer higher margins and greater national defense utility. Developing these systems also reduces dependency on foreign technologies, especially in sensitive areas like command and control or electronic warfare.

By expanding into combat systems and counter-drone solutions, PT PAL is now positioning itself as a key player not just in Indonesia’s naval sector but across the country's broader defense technology landscape.

A Bigger Picture

Indonesia has been steadily advancing indigenous defense technologies. PT LEN’s Mandhala CMS has already proven its capability in the fleet and is integrated with real-time firing solutions like the OTO Melara 76 mm and Leonardo Twin 40L70 guns. Now, with PT PAL stepping in, Indonesia can potentially accelerate the modernization and digital backbone of its entire armed forces.

These developments are not just about technology—they represent Indonesia’s maturing defense industry and the country's firm steps toward greater sovereignty, innovation, and self-sufficiency in a fast-changing regional security environment.