IndoDefense 2025: Indonesia's new Fortes MV 6.0 armored vehicle to strengthen convoy protection and troop transport.

At IndoDefense 2025, the Indonesian company RAD officially introduced the Fortes MV 6.0 armored vehicle. Categorized under the Ministry of Defense’s armored vehicle program, the platform is developed to fulfill requirements for tactical response, patrol, and convoy protection roles. It is designed for use in various operational environments across Indonesia. Its configuration reflects an emphasis on terrain adaptability, internal protection, and integration of communications and weapon systems. The vehicle is intended to provide a locally manufactured option to support national internal security and transport needs within the Indonesian Armed Forces.
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The Fortes MV 6.0 was designed to be driven in varied Indonesian landscapes, including forest, lowland, and urban edge zones where obstacle negotiation and reliable traction are operational requirements. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Fortes MV 6.0 has a fully combat-equipped weight of 7,220 kilograms and is designed for compact operational mobility. It measures 5.9 meters in length, has a wheelbase of 3,390 millimeters, and a ground clearance of 230 millimeters. The vehicle’s structure consists of a 4.5 mm-thick steel deck, a 3 mm-thick steel floor plate, and a skeletal frame made of 60x40x2 mm hollow steel tubing. Armor protection is provided by 6 mm-thick NIJ Level B6-rated ballistic panels. These panels are installed across the full body and windows and are designed to withstand impacts from 7.62 x 51 mm ball ammunition. The interior includes a 1.5 cm-thick liner to reduce heat and sound exposure during operation. A ladder at the rear provides access to the roof.

The propulsion system is based on a 4-cylinder diesel engine with a 4,778 cc displacement. It uses a direct injection common rail system and is equipped with a Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbo intercooler. The engine meets EURO 4 emission standards and includes both Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) components. Maximum engine output is 150 Ps at 2,600 rpm, and peak torque is 41 kgm over a range from 1,400 to 2,600 rpm. The fuel system is built around a 100-liter tank compatible with Cetane 53 (Pertamina Dex), giving the vehicle an estimated maximum operational range of 300 kilometers per full tank. This specification allows for medium-duration missions within national boundaries.

The vehicle’s performance characteristics include a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour and a recommended cruising speed of 60 kilometers per hour. It is capable of climbing gradients up to 60 percent and turning within a 14.5-meter diameter. The Fortes MV 6.0 can ford through water up to 500 millimeters deep. It features a 39-degree approach angle and a 29-degree departure angle. These performance characteristics indicate suitability for operations across both rural and semi-urban terrain. The configuration also supports vehicle handling on varied Indonesian landscapes, including forest, lowland, and urban edge zones where obstacle negotiation and reliable traction are operational requirements.

The vehicle incorporates several features for role adaptability. A weapon bracket is installed to mount the SMS MAG 58 general-purpose machine gun, which includes a front-facing armored shield to provide protection for the operator. The communication configuration includes three mounting points for antennas. These mountings are part of a flexible system designed for different radio equipment types. Internally, the cabin structure is modular. The seating arrangement and internal layout can be reconfigured to suit transport of personnel or equipment, or for command and control tasks. The vehicle’s doors are reinforced, and it includes ballistic vision panels to improve awareness without reducing protection.

RAD developed the Fortes MV 6.0 for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense as a domestic solution for tactical armored mobility. The vehicle is categorized as an armored vehicle for tactical response and transport roles. It integrates survivability and adaptability features consistent with current requirements for internal operations. No procurement figures or delivery timelines have been officially announced, but the presence of the Fortes MV 6.0 at IndoDefense 2025 suggests the vehicle has reached a stage of readiness for evaluation or consideration for limited or broader production. Its specifications indicate compatibility with national force structure and mobility demands.

Indonesia’s armored vehicle industry has been expanding since the early 1990s, when PT Pindad began developing platforms such as the APR-1V. The 2006 introduction of the Anoa 6x6 APC marked a shift toward local production. Pindad later introduced the Komodo 4x4 and the Badak fire support vehicle. In 2020, the Harimau medium tank entered production after joint development with the Turkish firm FNSS. Outside PT Pindad, companies such as PT SSE have built the P2 and P6 ATAV, PT TAD has produced the Turangga 4x4, and PT Jala manufactures the ILSV used by naval and police units. These platforms form a portfolio of vehicles adapted for Indonesian operational needs, including special forces use and conventional troop transport.