Ashok Leyland, PT Pindad Partner to Develop Electric Buses and Defence Vehicles for Indonesia

The MoU focuses on the joint development and manufacturing of electric buses and defence vehicles tailored to Indonesia’s evolving transportation and national security needs.

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and a global commercial and defence vehicle manufacturer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Pindad, Indonesia’s leading state-owned defence and industrial equipment manufacturer.

The agreement was signed at PT Pindad’s headquarters in Bandung on February 4, 2026, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Indonesia in sustainable mobility and advanced defence technologies.

The MoU focuses on the joint development and manufacturing of electric buses and defence vehicles tailored to Indonesia’s evolving transportation and national security needs.

The collaboration aims to combine Ashok Leyland’s global expertise in electric commercial vehicle platforms and defence mobility solutions with PT Pindad’s strong local manufacturing capabilities and engineering expertise within Indonesia’s defence ecosystem.

The agreement was formalised 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 at Hinduja Auto.

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Indonesia has been actively accelerating its transition toward sustainable transportation while simultaneously strengthening domestic defence capabilities.

The partnership aligns with the country’s national priorities of promoting energy-efficient mobility solutions, increasing electric vehicle adoption, and enhancing indigenous defence manufacturing.

Under the collaboration, both companies will work closely to design and produce electric buses suited to Indonesia’s operational requirements, road conditions, and infrastructure ecosystem.

The partnership also aims to explore opportunities in defence vehicle development, supporting Indonesia’s efforts to modernise its defence mobility platforms while strengthening domestic production capabilities.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Amandeep Singh said Ashok Leyland has built a longstanding reputation for delivering reliable commercial and defence mobility solutions across global markets.

He highlighted that the company’s subsidiary, Switch Mobility, has developed a diverse portfolio of electric buses with international applications. According to him, the partnership with PT Pindad will enable the joint development of products specifically designed to meet Indonesia’s terrain challenges and operational demands.

Ashok Leyland currently has a strong global footprint, operating in more than 50 countries and expanding its presence in electric mobility through Switch Mobility.