IndoDefence 2025: Indonesia develops Bramara Kamikaze drone to strike targets without calling artillery or air support.

During the IndoDefense 2025 defense exhibition, the Indonesian company Republik Defence presented a compact multirotor loitering munition named Bramara Kamikaze. It is designed for precision strike missions and fits into a standard backpack, emphasizing portability for tactical ground operations. The drone belongs to a class of lightweight loitering munitions intended to provide strike capability to units without access to heavier platforms. Its configuration allows it to be used in environments where mobility and rapid deployment are operational priorities, including urban, forested, and frontline conditions.
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The Bramara Kamikaze's top speed of 33 meters per second (approximately 119 kilometers per hour) allows it to engage targets quickly after acquisition, limiting the time available for adversaries to react or relocate. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Bramara Kamikaze was introduced during a public presentation in 2023 alongside the larger Konta drone, during which Indonesia’s then defense minister and now President Prabowo Subianto stated that the country “needs lots of kamikaze drones.” This declaration indicated institutional support for expanding loitering munition production and reflected alignment with global trends, such as those observed in Ukraine, where similar drones have been employed for tactical purposes.

The Bramara Kamikaze drone carries a 400-gram warhead integrated directly into its fuselage. This payload classifies the drone as a light tactical munition suitable for targeting exposed personnel, unarmored vehicles, and basic fixed positions with limited structural protection. Its maximum operational radius is 2.5 kilometers, positioning it for short-range missions where high accuracy and fast target engagement are critical. The system is designed to deliver consistent precision within this range, serving ground forces requiring independent strike capacity without support from artillery or air-delivered munitions. The warhead’s limited size is consistent with the drone’s compact structure and intended use cases in densely populated or constrained battlefield zones, where minimizing collateral effects is often a requirement.

The Bramara Kamikaze is propelled by an electric motor system connected to multiple rotors, enabling vertical takeoff and landing and supporting operation in confined or improvised spaces. Its top speed is 33 meters per second, or approximately 119 kilometers per hour. This allows it to engage targets quickly after acquisition, limiting the time available for adversaries to react or relocate. The electric propulsion contributes to a reduced acoustic and thermal signature, which can lower detection risk. The system is not designed for retrieval, being intended for single-use missions. The configuration supports simple operational procedures and allows deployment by dismounted personnel in remote or forward areas. The electric system also reduces maintenance complexity compared to fuel-powered platforms, enabling easier use in low-resource environments.

Launch is performed using ground-based methods without dedicated rails or launchers, allowing the drone to be employed from various terrain types. This facilitates rapid deployment in austere conditions and supports operations where conventional infrastructure is unavailable. The system is configured for ease of use and aims to minimize technical requirements for the operator. The design supports autonomous employment by mobile ground units and is suitable for users who require low-logistics systems. The absence of additional launch equipment increases tactical flexibility and is compatible with scenarios where deployment must be improvised. These characteristics indicate a focus on straightforward field integration rather than reliance on vehicle-based or centralized launch platforms.

Targeting is enabled by a guidance system providing location accuracy within ten meters. This precision is intended to support terminal strikes on specific targets while reducing the risk of off-target effects. The drone also features a safety fuse designed to prevent unintentional detonation during handling or transport. The fuse ensures that the warhead activates only upon reaching the target or during final engagement, contributing to operational safety and reducing accidental risks. These features are incorporated to maintain controlled activation and to meet safety standards necessary for use in operational environments where personnel may handle multiple drones or operate in close quarters. Both features are designed to support predictable and effective mission performance.

The Bramara is one of several loitering munitions currently being developed in Indonesia. The state-owned company PT DAHANA has previously introduced the Rajata, which was tested in 2021 and is described as a low-cost drone with ongoing efforts to integrate an abort mechanism. PT Pindad’s Minibe, later adapted into a swarm-capable UAV by startup BETA UAS, was also presented at Indo Defence 2022. In 2025, PAL Indonesia exhibited a shoulder-fired laser weapon intended to disrupt small drones at ranges between 50 and 400 meters. These developments are taking place as part of a broader defense modernization strategy that includes UAV programs such as LAPAN LSU-02/03 and local production of Anka drones through cooperation with the Turkish company Baykar.

Indonesia is also considering the acquisition of additional Bayraktar models and Chinese CH-4 variants. The government is restructuring the defense sector under the DEFEND ID holding, integrating entities such as DAHANA, Pindad, Len, PAL, and Indonesian Aerospace. However, recent assessments indicate that operator training, inter-branch integration, and consistent doctrinal application remain challenges, despite the 2024 introduction of a tactical datalink system. Analysts note that the successful expansion of drone capabilities depends on resolving these issues within the constraints of a defense budget that remains below one percent of GDP.