Sneak Peek of Popemobile Made in Indonesia, Based on Military Vehicles

Uzone.id – It has become a characteristic of Pope Francis that when he visits a number of places, he will greet the public and his congregation using a specially modified car. Likewise when Pope Francis visited Indonesia recently.

Pope Francis is known to have landed in Indonesia using a commercial plane. Then, the highest leader of the Catholic church used a Toyota Innova Zenix. However, it is not this car made by Toyota that is interesting, but the Popmobile which Pope Francis will later use when attending the Grand Mass at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium, Central Jakarta.

He will ride in an Indonesian-made Popemobile, manufactured by Pindad, a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) company that produces various types of defense and national security equipment. Pindad is an abbreviation of Indonesian Army Industry. 

PT Pindad President Director Abraham Mose said that his party was honored to be trusted to make a popemobile for Pope Francis. Because this car is an iconic vehicle that is already legendary.

“It is an honor and pride for us to be directly involved in supporting the operational vehicles of Catholic leaders throughout the world as well as interfaith figures who are actively calling for peace,” Abraham said in his official statement.

“Thank you to the Vatican and its religious visit committee in Indonesia for trusting the Maung MV3 produced by PT Pindad to be adapted to become the Pope Mobile used by the Pope at the Grand Mass at GBK,” said Abraham.

Abraham explained that the Popemobile used by Pope Francis was based on the Pindad Maung MV3. The Pindad Maung car itself is a tactical vehicle designed for military needs, which is currently very flexible to be modified into any type of car according to needs.

This 4×4 Light Tactical Vehicle produced by Pindad is intended to support close combat operations and mobilization as well as all-terrain exploration. Due to its flexibility, Maung can be equipped with a 7.62 mm weapon bracket, SS2-V4 weapon console, GPS navigation, tracker and other equipment.

To support Pope Francis’ activities, Pindad designed the Maung MV3 with a number of changes, such as adding a folding ladder to access the stage which is equipped with the main seat at the back of the vehicle, a sunroof in the driver’s cabin, a rear step for the Pope’s guard, a roof protector to anticipate rain, and a rear seat which can be folded for the Pope’s assistant.

Apart from that, other changes include the all-white color, then the addition of the Vatican and Indonesian flags on the front, and the SCV1 number plate which stands for “Status Latin Civitatis Vaticanae” or Vatican City State.

For the specifications themselves, Pindad Maung MV3 uses a turbo diesel engine with a capacity of 2,200 cc which can produce 199 horsepower which is channeled through a 6 speed manual transmission to all wheels and is capable of traveling at safe speeds of up to 120 km per hour. Once fully filled with fuel, the Pindad Maung MV3 can cover a distance of 800 km.

Pindad itself began to develop motor vehicle technology in 1993 through the National Car program. Pindad has collaborated with various parties both domestic and foreign in an effort to develop vehicle function technology, especially combat vehicles, to meet national defense and security needs.

The combat vehicle products produced include: 4×4 Tactical Vehicle “KOMODO” and Panzer 6×6 “ANOA” which have been produced in more than 300 units with various variants and have participated in UN world peace missions in various countries such as Lebanon, Central Africa and Sudan .

Research and development is continuously carried out to achieve future goals to increase business and technological capacity. The latest research and development product carried out by Pindad is the “HARIMAU” Medium Tank product in collaboration with FNSS (Turkey) and supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. This system is equipped with a 105 mm turret weapon and is capable of passing through various battlefields.

Apart from being used as a Popemobile for Pope Francis, so far Pindad Maung has been used for various needs, Pindad Maung has also been sold to the public with specifications that are different from those of the military.

The Maung MV3 itself is the third generation and has advantages in terms of a tough body and can maneuver in various extreme terrains. The Pindad Maung MV3 used is a variant with an open roof, which can carry 4 personnel.  

This vehicle is also available in other variants, namely the Maung MV3 Commander which is equipped with a Hard Top roof, and the Maung MV3 Jelajah which is equipped with a Soft Top roof.