Prabowo's National Car Project Brightens: Airlangga Says Pindad is Preparing!
The discourse on the national car (mobnas) has gained renewed strength following the government’s latest signals regarding its development direction. This time, the project is directly linked to the role of the domestic defence industry.
This issue has emerged amid the government’s efforts to promote industrial self-sufficiency and strengthen the national supply chain. Several strategic meetings among state-owned enterprises (BUMNs) are now focusing on accelerating the realisation of the project.
One strong signal came from Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto. He revealed that the development of the national car has now entered the preparation stage.
“The national car is being prepared by Pindad,” he stated at NICE PIK 2 on Monday (20/4/2026).
This statement reinforces the role of PT Pindad as the main actor in the project. Hitherto, Pindad has been known as a producer of main weapon system equipment, but it is now venturing into the automotive sector.
The development of the national car is said not to be done instantaneously. The government is preparing gradual steps, including in terms of production capacity.
“So with the zone in Karawang, of course, we will later see the target being able to increase its capacity gradually,” Airlangga continued.
The Karawang zone itself has long been known as the national automotive industry hub. The selection of this location indicates that the mobnas project will be integrated with the existing ecosystem.
On the other hand, the type of vehicle to be developed is also beginning to be revealed. The government is signalling that the national car will not focus on just one model.
“One of them is an electric sedan, of course there will be multi-products,” said Airlangga.
That statement opens opportunities for the national car to enter the electric vehicle segment. This step aligns with the global trend towards electrification.
Previously, signals of the national car project’s revival were also evident from meetings between BUMN Agency officials and industry leaders. That meeting serves as an indication that this project is back on the government’s priority list.
In its statement, the BUMN Agency affirmed support for accelerating the project. The national car is positioned as part of the grand strategy towards technological self-sufficiency.
“The BUMN Agency supports the acceleration of the National Car development as a strategic step towards technological self-sufficiency and strengthening the national economy,” it wrote, quoted from @bumn_id.