The growing role of locally developed defense technology reflects Indonesia’s push to strengthen industrial independence and strategic capability. One of the clearest examples is the Maung MV3 tactical vehicle produced by PT Pindad, which has become a symbol of progress in the country’s defense industry.
With a domestic component level reaching 70 percent, the Maung highlights Indonesia’s ability to independently produce strategic defense equipment. Equipped with 7.62 mm bulletproof composites and run-flat tires, the vehicle meets high safety standards comparable to global military vehicles.
Its use as the Indonesian presidential car during the 48th ASEAN Summit on May 7–8, 2026, also reflected growing confidence in the competitiveness of domestic products while encouraging technology transfer and strengthening the national defense ecosystem.
The summit marked a milestone for both Indonesian diplomacy and the national automotive industry, as President Prabowo Subianto officially used the Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine as his state vehicle throughout the event. The occasion also served as the vehicle’s first international debut after being produced on a large scale as one of Indonesia’s flagship defense products.
When President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Cebu International Airport, attention quickly turned to the white Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine bearing the “Indonesia 1” license plate at the end of the red carpet. Amid rows of black sedans used by other leaders, the vehicle’s distinctive SUV-limousine design immediately stood out.
The moment marked the first time President Prabowo was welcomed abroad by the Maung, showcasing Indonesia’s growing defense industry and national technological capability.
Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine Specifications and Features
The Maung armored vehicle has been in development since 2018, when it was first introduced as the Bima M-31. The project was later continued by President Prabowo Subianto during his tenure as defense minister from 2019 to 2024.
Since then, PT Pindad has produced the vehicle on a growing scale. The government ordered 500 units, which were officially delivered in January 2021, while Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin symbolically handed over another 700 Maung MV3s to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in March 2025. Around 4,000 units are scheduled for gradual delivery due to production limitations, following earlier large-scale orders for TNI operational use.
One of its most prominent variants, the Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine, was used as President Prabowo’s official state vehicle during his inauguration on October 20, 2024. More than just a ceremonial car, the vehicle combines luxury with military-grade protection beneath its distinctive pure white design.
The Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine measures 5.05 meters in length, 2.06 meters in width, and 1.87 meters in height, with a total weight of 2.95 tons. Powered by a 2,200cc engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it produces 199 hp and 441 Nm of torque, with a top speed of up to 100 km/h.
Built to high safety standards, the vehicle uses 7.62 mm bulletproof composite armor resistant to 7.62 x 51 mm NATO and 5.56 x 45 mm M193 ammunition. Its glass meets B5/B6 bulletproof standards, while the 21-inch run-flat tires allow the vehicle to continue operating even after a puncture.
Around 70 percent of the vehicle’s components are produced locally by PT Pindad, highlighting Indonesia’s growing self-sufficiency in the defense industry.
A Symbol of Diplomacy and Defense Industry Independence
The Maung's long journey to the international stage began during Prabowo's tenure as Minister of Defense from 2019 to 2024. Since his inauguration as President on October 20, 2024, Prabowo has consistently used the Maung for various state agendas domestically.
PT Pindad has produced more than 3,200 Maung vehicles, which are used for various operations and domestic needs. With its successful debut at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Maung's presence is expected to not only enhance Indonesia's reputation regionally but also open up broader export market opportunities for the nation's defense and automotive industries.
The Maung's reputation has spread internationally since Prabowo first drove it on his visit to the 48th ASEAN Summit, held in the Philippines on May 7-8, 2026. The Maung served as President Prabowo's official vehicle during his visit.
The Maung's presence in Cebu is not merely about supporting the President's mobility; this decision actually has profound strategic significance.
The use of the Maung at this international forum is not simply a means of transportation, but a symbol of independence, national confidence, and support for the advancement of Indonesia's national industry. The Maung has become a symbol of diplomacy worldwide.
The presence of the Maung vehicle is a sign of pride that Indonesia has been able to produce its own car with the quality worthy of being used as a presidential vehicle. It is clearly a source of pride for the Indonesian nation to be present at an international forum with the necessary equipment and its own production, especially with this car being used by the president.
