BETA UAS

Lore & Background

BETA UAS was founded in 2016 by aerospace engineering graduates from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), initially operating as a drone service provider. In 2017, the company began partnerships and joint research with universities and other companies. By 2018, it shifted focus to designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling its own products, and has since created 18 drone configurations. The company has built unmanned aircraft for research and military purposes and now concentrates on meeting industrial UAS needs. Its drones are used in Indonesia by government agencies and the private sector for aerial mapping, inspection, survey, emergency response, light cargo delivery, and military operations.

The company's first drone, the Minibe, was originally a mapping drone with a single pusher propeller and later developed into a swarm-capable loitering munition with electric ducted-fan propulsion. The Ruppel, a hybrid VTOL unveiled at Indo Defence 2022, was designed to carry two 60mm or one 81mm mortar made by Pindad. Civilian models include the Feia agricultural sprayer, the Iris and Lios multifunction quadrotors, the Raybe small VTOL, and the Omnibe wide-area surveillance hybrid-VTOL, which became the first Indonesian drone exported to Australia. BETA UAS also offers drone customization services.

Reader's Guide

BETA UAS has established itself as a notable Indonesian UAV manufacturer through a combination of technical development, partnerships, and recognition. The company's significance is underscored by its receipt of the 2023 Technology Pioneer (Rintek) Award from Indonesia's Ministry of Industry, highlighting its role in advancing drone technology and supporting the Industry 4.0 initiative. It was also selected among the top ten startups in Startup Studio Indonesia, a program supported by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and IBM, and ranked in the top three during SEMESTA AI, an event by Lintasarta Group. At ASTRANAUTS 2025, held by Astra Group, BETA UAS secured first place in the Startup Track category. The company was noted as one of the most adaptive drone manufacturers in Indonesia, capable of creating custom product designs in 3–6 months.

Its legacy is built on collaborations with national institutions such as the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), ITB, and PT. Pindad for drone and component development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BETA UAS collaborated with ITB and Padjajaran University to develop a bag-valve-mask ventilator. In 2024, it worked with IBM to develop a visual AI inspection system using IBM Maximo. Distribution partnerships include Terra Drone from Japan as an overseas distributor. Operational collaborations include working with Indonesia Airnav and Rohde & Schwartz to inspect airport navigation systems, with State Electricity Company (PLN) for electricity distribution inspection, and with PT. Pos Indonesia for developing the Nusantara Logistic Hub. Drone Hand Pty Ltd, based in Victoria, collaborates with BETA for livestock monitoring, offering the Omnibe as an 'Extended Package'.

Did You Know?

• The Omnibe is the first Indonesian drone exported to Australia.
• BETA UAS collaborated with IBM in 2024 to develop a visual AI inspection system using IBM Maximo.
• The company can create a custom product design in 3–6 months.