Ashok Leyland signs strategic MoU with Indonesia’s PT Pindad to co-develop E-buses, defence vehicles

Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s state-owned defence and industrial equipment manufacturer, PT Pindad. The agreement, formalised at Pindad’s headquarters in Bandung, marks a significant step in strengthening Indo-Indonesian cooperation in sustainable mobility and advanced defence technologies.

Under the MoU, both companies will jointly develop and manufacture electric buses and defence vehicles tailored for Indonesia’s mobility transition and national security needs. The collaboration will combine Ashok Leyland’s global experience in commercial EV platforms and defence mobility with Pindad’s engineering depth, local manufacturing capability and established role in Indonesia’s defence ecosystem.

The signing ceremony was attended by Prof Sigit P. Santosa, CEO of PT Pindad; Mr. Amandeep Singh, President – International Operations, Defence, LCV & PSB, Ashok Leyland; and Mr. Lord Tariq, Advisor to the Board, Hinduja Auto.

Indonesia has been actively pushing for energy-efficient transportation, EV adoption and modernised defence platforms. The partnership aligns closely with these national priorities and aims to support Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable and locally built technologies.

Mr. Amandeep Singh said the partnership builds on Ashok Leyland’s legacy of delivering dependable commercial and defence mobility solutions globally. He added that Switch Mobility, the company’s EV arm, has developed a wide range of electric buses with international appeal, and that jointly developed products will be customised to suit Indonesia’s terrain, infrastructure and operational requirements.