Ministry of Defence Denies Backing Import of 105,000 Indian Pickup Trucks for the 'Red and White Village Cooperative' Programme
The Ministry of Defence has refuted claims that it supported the import of 105,000 Indian pickup trucks for the ‘Red and White Village Cooperative’ programme.
“In response to information circulating in the public sphere, the Ministry of Defence deems it necessary to provide clarification, so that the public receives accurate information and misunderstandings do not occur,” said the Head of Information Affairs of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, when asked for confirmation on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Rico explained that the Mahindra Scorpio vehicles received from PT Agrinas were a humanitarian donation to support disaster relief efforts in Aceh.
This assistance is intended to accelerate mobility in the field, so that the distribution of aid, evacuation of residents, and logistical support for affected communities can be carried out more quickly.
“The acceptance of this donation is also independent and not included in the procurement or purchase process of 105,000 units of vehicles by Agrinas, as reported in a number of media outlets,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said, the Ministry of Defence’s position in this case is as the recipient of assistance, and it will make full use of it for humanitarian purposes and emergency disaster response.
The Ministry of Defence ensures that all support received is directed to helping affected communities, and is managed transparently and can be accounted for.
Previously, news about Agrinas’ import plans was announced by the Indian automotive company, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), on their company website on February 4, 2026. M&M announced that it would supply 35,000 units of Scorpio pickup trucks.
On February 20, 2026, the President Director of Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota, confirmed to the media in the country the import of 105,000 vehicles from the Indian company.
These hundreds of thousands of vehicles consist of 35,000 units of 4x4 pickup trucks from M&M, then 35,000 units of 4x4 pickups and 35,000 units of six-wheeled trucks from Tata Motors.
However, Joao emphasized that he is ready to comply with the decisions of the government and the DPR regarding the import of pickup trucks from India and is ready to be responsible for all the consequences of this policy.
“Whatever the decision of the state, the decision of the DPR, that is the voice of the people and represents the people. As President Director of Agrinas, I will comply, be loyal, and obey whatever decision the state makes if it is indeed for the benefit of the people,” said Joao at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.