IKN – Four units of the tactical vehicle ‘Maung’ were displayed at the main system weapons exhibition (alutsista) for the security of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day festivities in the Nusantara Capital (IKN), East Kalimantan, on Saturday (17/8).

The showcased Maungs are the latest type, namely the MV3 Mobile Jammer, equipped with a drone jammer as a weapon. These four units were strategically placed at four locations: the Presidential Security Force building, the lake, the medical center, and Flag Hill.

This third generation of Maung was developed under the directive of the President-elect for 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto, and manufactured by PT Pindad. Following the success of the first generation, Prabowo continued to request various innovations and improvements for this tactical vehicle.

PT Pindad eventually launched this third generation, which boasts a robust body capable of maneuvering through various extreme terrains.

“The initial concept of Maung was indeed initiated by Mr. Prabowo. The Pindad technical team elaborated Mr. Prabowo’s innovative ideas into the design, tactical capability development, and mass production,” revealed Sigit P. Santosa, Director of Technology and Development at PT Pindad in Jakarta.

Prima Kharisma, Vice President of Innovation and Product Development at PT Pindad, explained that the Maung MV3, part of a contract with the Ministry of Defense, is equipped with both soft kill and hard kill weapons on this latest tactical vehicle.

“The hard kill weapons in Maung, as well as in the Silent Disabler Weapon (SPS), are innovations by Pindad, while the drone Jammers installed in both Maung and SPS are a result of collaboration with PT Sapta Cakra Manunggal,” Prima disclosed.

He further elaborated that the Maung MV3 is designed as a mobile anti-drone system capable of neutralizing drone threats quickly and accurately.

“This vehicle is equipped with a drone jammer as a soft kill weapon and a heavy machine gun (SMB) SM5 A1 12.7 mm as a hard kill weapon,” he detailed.

The Maung MV3 is also claimed to provide reliable protection with a jamming radius of 3 kilometers using the soft kill method and a destruction range up to 1.8 kilometers using the hard kill method.

“Equipped with a 4×4 drive, this vehicle can operate on various terrains, both on-road and off-road,” Prima noted.

The Maung MV3 itself has technical specifications of 5,085 mm in length, 2,165 mm in width, 1,995 mm in height, an unladen weight of 2,100 kg. This tactical vehicle also features a turning radius of more than 7 meters, is equipped with a turbo diesel engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, a maximum power of 202 PS/3800 RPM (199 HP), and a maximum torque of 441 Nm/1600-2600 rpm.

The anti-drone weapon innovation named SPS-1, to support the security of the 79th RI Independence Day ceremony in IKN, is capable of neutralizing drone threats using the soft kill method by blocking control access at a distance of 500 m and is destructive at a range of 150 m.

“SPS-1 is operated by a single personnel. This weapon is designed in accordance with current technological advancements and is a result of adjustments to user needs,” Prima concluded.