INDONESIA’S PT PAL showcased their first “Kamikaze” unmanned surface vehicle (USV) which is designed not only for strike missions involving direct impact on targets but also capable of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
PT PAL had the opportunity to showcase it during the 2026 Indonesian National Armed Forces “Trimatra” Joint Exercise in the Riau Islands, with its participation marking a significant milestone in the development of national maritime defence technology and reflects the Indonesian Navy’s (TNI AL) confidence in the capabilities of the domestic defence industry.
Although still in the development phase, the Kamikaze USV has undergone a series of tests and evaluations alongside the end-user. These results led the TNI-AL to entrust the platform with a role in a swarming demonstration during the “Trimatra” where multiple autonomous vehicles were operated in a coordinated manner via remote control. It executed a strike mission in a swarm formation scenario in which its 150kg warhead successfully struck its target.
The Kamikaze USV was developed as a small, high-speed USV with combat capabilities that can be produced with a short lead time and at a more efficient cost. In its initial configuration, the Kamikaze USV is capable of speeds exceeding 55 knots and is equipped with a 150-kilogram warhead, which can be adapted to specific combat mission requirements.
Technologically, the USV utilizes an unmanned control system similar to that of the Autonomous Submarine (KSOT). This system can be operated via an Autonomous Submarine Control Center (ASCC) or a portable console, supporting both full manual control and autonomous navigation based on pre-planned missions. Moving forward, the platform will also integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, enabling it to autonomously distinguish between friend and foe. Beyond demonstrating technological maturity, the development of the Kamikaze USV highlights PT PAL’s readiness to support asymmetric warfare operations for the TNI AL.
PT PAL Indonesia President Director Kaharuddin Djenod stated that this success demonstrates the national defence industry’s capability to develop innovative products that support the strengthening of the TNI-AL’s primary weapon systems. “The success of this USV is not just about producing a platform, but about building domestic technological capabilities. Everything—from engineering competence and system mastery to integration and testing capabilities—forms a crucial part of the journey toward an increasingly self-reliant defence industry,” said Kaharuddin.
He added that unmanned technology opens up broader opportunities for the development of a technology-driven defence industry. The integration of autonomous systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and unmanned navigation systems into a single platform is integral to developing these capabilities.
Kaharuddin emphasized that USV development also holds the potential to strengthen the national industrial ecosystem. Mastering this technology entails enhancing human resource competencies and strengthening the national supply chain—particularly in the sectors of electronics, sensors, software, communication systems, manufacturing, and system integration.
In the evolution of global defence technology, USVs are shifting from mere experimental platforms to integral components of a “system-of-systems” concept. This concept enables unmanned vessels to collaborate with manned ships and other defence systems within a unified operational ecosystem.
