KBRN, Jakarta: If you’ve been following President Prabowo Subianto’s recent domestic visits, you may have noticed something different. He is now driving a Maung Garuda, a locally produced tactical vehicle that no previous Indonesian president has used before.

This armored all-terrain vehicle is a special variant of the Maung series, manufactured by Pindad, a state-owned defense company based in Bandung, West Java.

"President Prabowo proudly uses Maung Garuda as his official car and has instructed ministers, deputy ministers, and heads of agencies to do the same," said Hasan Nasbi, Head of Indonesia’s Presidential Communications Office, in Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10/2024).

What Is the Maung Garuda?

Originally developed for military use, the Maung was introduced in 2021 and later adapted for civilian and official state purposes. Designed for harsh terrain, the vehicle features:

✔ 4x4 drivetrain for superior off-road capability

✔ Reinforced suspension and high-performance engine

✔ Top speed of 120 km/h with a 6-speed manual transmission

✔ Maximum range of 800 km per fuel tank

The Maung Garuda is a customized presidential edition, featuring bulletproof composite materials, 360-degree security cameras, and Run Flat Tires (RFT) that allow it to keep moving up to 80 km even with a puncture.

Prabowo’s Role in Maung’s Development

Prabowo has been involved with the Maung project since his time as Indonesia’s Minister of Defense under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. In 2020, he ordered 500 units to support Indonesia’s defense industry, with the first 40 units delivered to the army in 2021.

Now, as President, Prabowo is promoting the use of locally made vehicles, reinforcing his commitment to national innovation and self-reliance.

Maung for State Guests

The Maung has also been used for official state visits. In 2024, a special version, the Maung MV3 Tangguh, was modified into a popemobile for Pope Francis during his visit to Indonesia. The pope rode in it during a grand mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta.

Prabowo’s decision to use the Maung Garuda as his presidential car highlights Indonesia’s growing defense industry and strengthens the country’s push for locally produced innovations.