Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship company of the Hinduja Group and a leading global manufacturer of commercial and defence vehicles, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Pindad, Indonesia’s state-owned defence and industrial equipment company. The agreement was signed at PT Pindad’s headquarters in Bandung and represents an important step in strengthening industrial and technological cooperation between India and Indonesia.
Under the MoU, the two companies will collaborate on the joint development and manufacturing of electric buses and defence vehicles designed specifically for Indonesia’s mobility and national security needs. The partnership seeks to combine Ashok Leyland’s experience in commercial electric vehicle platforms and defence mobility solutions with PT Pindad’s strong local engineering expertise, manufacturing infrastructure, and established role within Indonesia’s defence sector.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Prof. Sigit P. Santosa, Chief Executive Officer of PT Pindad, Mr. Amandeep Singh, President – International Operations, Defence, LCV & PSB at Ashok Leyland, and Lord Tariq, Advisor to the Board, Hinduja Auto. Their presence underlined the strategic importance of the collaboration for both organisations.
Indonesia has been steadily advancing its plans for sustainable transportation and modernised defence capabilities. The government is promoting energy-efficient mobility, wider adoption of electric vehicles, and increased local manufacturing of defence platforms. This collaboration aligns closely with these national priorities by focusing on solutions that are adapted to Indonesia’s operating environment, terrain, and infrastructure conditions.
The key objective of the MoU is to jointly develop electric buses for public transportation and defence vehicles for military and security applications. The companies aim to explore opportunities for localisation, technology sharing, and capability building within Indonesia, supporting long-term industrial development and employment generation.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Amandeep Singh said that Ashok Leyland has a strong legacy of delivering dependable commercial and defence mobility solutions across global markets. He highlighted that Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, has developed a broad range of electric buses with international relevance. Through the partnership with PT Pindad, the company plans to create products that are customised for Indonesia’s specific requirements, ensuring suitability for local usage and operational conditions.
This collaboration reflects a shared vision to promote sustainable mobility and advanced defence technologies while strengthening bilateral ties between India and Indonesia. By combining global product expertise with local manufacturing strength, Ashok Leyland and PT Pindad aim to contribute meaningfully to Indonesia’s transition toward cleaner transport systems and enhanced defence readiness.
