Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned defense manufacturer Pindad is preparing to begin production of the MV3 Maung SUVs, which will serve as the official vehicles for ministers and government officials.
Pindad CEO Abraham Mose stated that the company will continue to coordinate with the government before producing the third generation of Maungs.
"In accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, we are preparing the MV3 Garuda for use as official or operational vehicles for ministers and their staff. We are still in active coordination with the government," he said in an official statement on Friday.
The MV3 Garuda is a type of Maung SUV designed for operational use. Pindad has already produced the MV3 Garuda Limousine, which has been used as the presidential vehicle.
"The Maung SUV is closely tied to the role and support of Mr. Prabowo Subianto. Since becoming the Indonesian Defense Minister, he has consistently provided innovative ideas for tactical and operational vehicles," Mose added.
"Mr. Prabowo's active communication with Pindad has led to the development of the Maung MV1, which has now evolved into its third generation. This success even includes the production of the presidential vehicle, the MV3 Garuda Limousine," he continued.
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Pindad’s Director of Technology and Development, Sigit P. Santosa, explained the lengthy production process for the MV3 Maung.
He noted that Pindad is working to establish a complete industrial ecosystem for the national automotive industry, as no Indonesian manufacturers currently have the capability to handle the full cycle of vehicle development domestically.
The stages of vehicle development include design, product development, validation, certification, and mass production. For the Maung's production, Pindad is working on the design, product development, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and evaluation stages, Santosa said.
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"The development of engineering and mass production capabilities is not only built at Pindad but also with the supplier ecosystem, which includes hundreds of partners across Indonesia," he explained.
He emphasized that Pindad is prioritizing the use of local components in the development of the Maung.
"For components that are not yet available domestically, such as engines, transmissions, and others, we collaborate with global strategic partners, which is common in the automotive industry," he added.
Pindad to begin production of MV3 Maung SUVs for officials
MV3 Garuda Limousine, an SUV made by PT Pindad, is used as President Prabowo Subianto's official vehicle after his inauguration in Jakarta on October 20, 2024. ANTARA/HO-PT Pindad
MV3 Garuda Limousine, an SUV made by PT Pindad, is used as President Prabowo Subianto's official vehicle after his inauguration in Jakarta on October 20, 2024. ANTARA/HO-PT Pindad