B. J. Habibie

Revolutionized Indonesian aerospace technology against all odds

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (1936–2019) transformed Indonesia's technological landscape as the pioneer of aerospace engineering in Southeast Asia. Against skepticism from global aviation communities, he designed Indonesia's first aircraft N-250 Gatotkaca in 1995 - the region's first turboprop aircraft with fly-by-wire technology.

As Minister of Research and Technology, Habibie established:

• PT PAL Indonesia's warship production
• The Batam Aerospace Industrial Park
• Strategic partnerships with Airbus and Boeing

His "Habibienomics" philosophy emphasized that developing nations must prioritize high-tech industries over natural resource dependency. Though controversial, his work laid foundations for Indonesia's current satellite systems and naval defense capabilities.