The Directorate General of Immigration is taking a strategic step to secure Indonesia's border areas through the adoption of cutting-edge technology. This effort aims to minimize illegal cross-border loopholes by integrating automated drone systems and geofencing technology, which is expected to complement conventional ground patrols more effectively.
In this project, the Directorate General of Immigration is collaborating with the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to develop a system known as the Digital Fence. This innovation aims to address personnel limitations in guarding land borders spanning over 3,111 kilometers, while fostering self-reliance in nationally developed security technology.
The use of solar-powered High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) drones enables continuous surveillance. When the geofencing system detects suspicious activity in a restricted zone, the drone automatically sends real-time coordinates to officers at the nearest border crossing post. This is prioritized to prevent human trafficking, smuggling, and the illicit trade of goods that frequently utilize unofficial routes.
Border regions in Kalimantan, Papua, and East Nusa Tenggara are the primary focus of this technology's implementation, while maritime surveillance will be concentrated around the Riau Islands and Batam. In addition to improving response times, this collaboration between the government, academia, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia is expected to reduce operational costs while reinforcing digital sovereignty along Indonesia's borders.
