Jakarta Airport Deploys Advanced Radar to Mitigate Rising Bird Strike Threat

JAKARTA, Indonesia – August 11, 2026

In a significant move to enhance aviation safety, Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), one of Southeast Asia's most vital air hubs, is turning to advanced American radar technology to combat a persistent and growing threat: bird strikes. The airport operator, InJourney Airports, has awarded a contract to Florida-based DeTect, Inc. for its MERLIN™ True3D® Bird Detection Radar (BDR) system, signaling a major shift from traditional wildlife management to a proactive, data-driven approach.

The decision comes as aviation authorities across Indonesia and the wider Asia-Pacific region grapple with an increasing number of wildlife-related incidents that endanger passengers, disrupt operations, and cause significant financial damage. For Soekarno-Hatta, this investment is not just an upgrade; it's a critical shield for its increasingly crowded skies.

The Unseen Threat in Indonesian Skies

For years, the risk of bird strikes has been a known but difficult-to-manage problem for Indonesian aviation. The archipelago's rich biodiversity, while a natural treasure, creates a challenging environment for airports. Recent data paints a stark picture of the escalating risk. Between 2016 and 2020, Soekarno-Hatta saw a concentration of bird strikes around its primary runways, a danger amplified by nearby bird habitats like Rambut Island and the Angke Kapuk Forest.

Alarmingly, a report from PT Angkasa Pura II, which operates Soekarno-Hatta and 18 other airports, revealed a 36% increase in bird strikes in 2020 compared to the previous year. This surge occurred even as aircraft movements plummeted by over 44% due to the pandemic, indicating a sharp rise in the per-flight risk factor. This trend is not isolated; nationwide, bird strike reports have climbed, leading Indonesian authorities, along with regional partners, to classify wildlife strikes as a High-Risk occurrence in their National Aviation Safety Plans.

The consequences extend beyond safety statistics. Globally, bird strikes are estimated to cost the aviation industry over $1.2 billion annually. Locally, incidents have caused immediate and costly disruptions. In 2015, a Garuda Indonesia flight was forced to return to Padang after a bird strike, and more recently, in 2022, a Lion Air flight had to divert to its origin airport in Surabaya for the same reason. These events underscore the urgent need for a more effective solution.

A Technological Leap from Binoculars to Beams

The MERLIN system being installed at Soekarno-Hatta represents a fundamental evolution in how airports manage wildlife. For decades, methods have been largely reactive: patrols using vehicles and sirens, and visual observation with binoculars. While part of a comprehensive strategy, these methods are often limited in scope and effectiveness, especially at night or in poor weather.

DeTect's MERLIN 7360 True3D radar changes the game entirely. The system, which will feature radars at the ends of each of the airport’s two main runways, provides a complete, 360-degree, three-dimensional view of the entire airfield and its surrounding airspace. Unlike conventional radar, the "True3D" technology doesn't just detect an object; it precisely tracks its location, altitude, speed, and direction. This allows the system to identify high-risk bird activity, from a single large bird to a dense flock, in real-time.

The technology’s pedigree is impeccable. Originally developed for the U.S. Air Force and NASA, MERLIN is the most widely used bird radar system in the world, with over 600 installations safeguarding military airfields and commercial airports in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This widespread adoption by some of the world's most demanding aviation operators speaks to its proven efficacy and reliability. By adopting this technology, Soekarno-Hatta is moving from a reactive posture to a proactive one, arming its teams with the foresight to act before a hazard becomes an incident.

A Strategic Partnership for a Safer Future

The contract is a significant strategic victory for both parties. For DeTect, it solidifies its leadership in the burgeoning Asia-Pacific aviation market. The system's components will be manufactured in the United States, with the complex project managed by the company's regional office in South Korea, showcasing a globalized operational model.

"We are gratified to have been selected by InJourney Airports to supply and support DeTect's bird radar system technology at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), one of Southeast Asia's busiest airports," said Gary Andrews, CEO of DeTect, in a statement.

For InJourney Airports, the investment is a clear declaration of its commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence. It aligns with recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which has championed the use of radar to enhance wildlife management. By investing in proven, cutting-edge technology, the airport operator is not only mitigating direct risks but also bolstering its reputation as a forward-thinking and safety-conscious hub. This proactive stance can lead to long-term financial benefits by reducing flight delays, costly aircraft repairs, and potential liabilities associated with wildlife strikes.

Integrating Innovation: From Data to Action

The true impact of the MERLIN system will be realized in its integration into the airport's daily operations. The system is designed to feed real-time hazard alerts directly to monitors in the control tower, airfield operations centers, and even in the vehicles of the airport's bird control teams.

This constant stream of information will empower a more synchronized and effective response. Air traffic controllers can use the data to issue timely warnings to pilots during critical takeoff and landing phases. Simultaneously, the wildlife management team on the ground can be dispatched with surgical precision to the exact location of a potential threat, using deterrents where they are most needed.

Implementing this system will require more than just technical installation. It necessitates the development of new standard operating procedures and comprehensive training for controllers, operations staff, and wildlife specialists to ensure they can effectively interpret the radar data and act on it.

Furthermore, the data collected by MERLIN will provide invaluable long-term insights. By analyzing patterns of bird activity over seasons and years, airport management can refine its habitat management strategies, addressing the root causes of bird attraction to the airport environment. This data-driven approach is precisely what aviation safety bodies have called for, fostering the collaboration and information sharing needed to tackle this complex, cross-disciplinary challenge. As the radar beams begin to scan the skies over Jakarta, they promise not only to detect birds but also to illuminate a safer path forward for aviation in the region.