Royal Brunei Air Force acquires Insitu Integrator unmanned aerial system

Isa Khan · Jul 7, 2021

by Gabriel Dominguez & Alessandra Giovanzanti

The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) has acquired at least one Insitu Integrator unmanned aerial system (UAS) to enhance its maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, according to the US Embassy in Brunei.

The embassy said in a statement that the UAS was unveiled during an event held in June to mark the 60th anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, which was attended by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the supreme commander of the country's armed forces.

No further details were provided by the embassy, including the contract value and number of UASs procured, but Janes understands they will be used to contribute to the protection of territorial waters as well as the country's exclusive economic zone. In this regard the country's longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea with neighbouring countries, including China, are among the drivers behind the recent acquisition of the system.

The country reiterated in its recently published 2021 Defence White Paper the need to build more effective and integrated maritime security capabilities to face growing tensions in the South China Sea, with the paper listing these as one of the strategic threats the country has to respond to over the next 15 years.