President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 launched the MV3-EV “Pandu”, the country’s first fully electric tactical vehicle produced by state-owned defense manufacturer PT Pindad.
The unveiling took place during the Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2025 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, where the President signed a commemorative plaque and the vehicle’s plate, symbolizing the start of a new era in environmentally friendly military mobility.
“Pandu – a vehicle made by our nation’s sons and daughters!” President Prabowo inscribed on the plaque, underlining the vehicle’s local origin and strategic significance.
The MV3-EV is an electrified evolution of PT Pindad’s earlier EV3 platform, which was originally developed as a diesel-powered operational vehicle for the Ministry of Defense.
According to Rakhmad Aryo, Vice President of PT Pindad, the transformation from internal combustion engine (ICE) to full electric drive reflects a leap in both military and environmental strategy.
“We took the EV3 platform, which was diesel-based, and redeveloped it into a fully electric vehicle. That’s how the MV3-EV ‘Pandu’ was born,” Rakhmad told reporters, on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
He emphasized that the project is more than just a product launch it is a declaration of intent by Indonesia to advance its defense technologies while supporting renewable energy policies in line with national regulations.
The name “Pandu” derived from the Mahabharata epicand was chosen to symbolize a trailblazing role, a guide or pioneer in the development of electric defense mobility.
PT Pindad also announced its commitment to developing a national electric vehicle ecosystem, noting that the majority of Pandu’s components will eventually be locally manufactured, enhancing industrial self-reliance and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.
“We’re not just building a vehicle. we’re building an ecosystem. Our goal is for all parts of Pandu to be domestically produced,” Rakhmad said.
The official launch by President Prabowo marks a high point in PT Pindad’s efforts to integrate green technologies into defense strategy. The moment drew praise not only as a display of technological progress but also as a symbol of Indonesia’s growing confidence in developing homegrown solutions for national security and environmental responsibility.
The move aligns with the broader push by the government to modernize its defense forces while also reducing carbon emissions, especially in non-combat operations and logistics.
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