Strengthening Maritime Surveillance: The Utilization of Unmanned Aircraft from KRI Sigma Class to Prevent Illegal Fishing Activities in the Sulawesi Sea

Abstract

The Sulawesi Sea is a strategic maritime area for Indonesia that combines the high potential of fishery resources with dense cross-border activities, thus creating a continuous risk of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign and domestic vessels. This article examines how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operated from the KRI Sigma Class can be used to strengthen maritime surveillance and law enforcement against illegal fishing activities in the region. The research approach used is qualitative descriptive by utilizing Navy doctrine and policy documents, official reports related to maritime security operations, and relevant academic literature, which are then analyzed thematically and enriched with field experiences documented in the student officers' Taskap. The results of the analysis show that the integration of UAVs with the KRI Sigma Class is able to expand the observation range, improve early detection capabilities, and provide real-time visual information to command and control systems at sea. This contributes to increased speed and accuracy of decision-making, while reducing fuel consumption, platform wear and risk inherent in conventional patrol patterns. However, the effective implementation of UAVs is still faced with a number of limitations, including the technical capabilities of the vehicles and sensors, the influence of the environmental conditions of high sea operations, and the need for continuous development of the training and certification of UAV operators. This article argues that a comprehensive conception of utilization is needed, including platform standardization, strengthening communication interoperability, human resource development, and sharpening the operational regulatory framework, so that UAVs operated from the Sigma Class KRI can function as a reliable force multiplier in preventing illegal fishing in the Sulawesi Sea.