France’s Nexter Munitions and Mecar (both subsidiaries of Nexter Group) and Indonesia’s PT Pindad signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to Medium Calibre Munitions and Large Calibre Munitions. The MOU covers collaboration on Medium Calibre Munition and Large Calibre Munition products such as 120 mm munitions for Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs), 105 mm shells for the Harimau medium tank, 20 mm bullets for the Vector GI-2 automatic canon, and 30 mm ammunition for the Rafale multirole combat aircraft.
Nexter Systems (formerly known as GIAT Industries) is a French government-owned weapons manufacturer, based in Roanne, Loire. The GIAT group was founded in 1973 by combining the industrial assets of the technical direction of Army weapons of the French Ministry of Defense. On 22 September 2006 GIAT became the core of the new company Nexter. Nexter designs and manufactures Military protected vehicles for the French military and other international militaries. Nexter Systems has a long history as a partner of the Indonesian Armed Forces and is particularly proud to have participated in the modernization of the Indonesian Army.
Mecar is a Belgian weapon and ammunition manufacturing company headquartered in Petit-Roeulx-lez-Nivelles, Hainaut Province. Mecar is responsible for creating weapons ranging from grenades to lightweight anti-tank cannons. The company was established in 1938 and now produces arms for NATO, Belgium, and other various countries. The company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEXTER Systems S.A., a French Defense Systems company following the acquisition in May 2014.
PT Pindad is an Indonesian state-owned enterprise specializing in military and commercial products. Pindad provides the armaments and munitions for the Indonesian Armed Forces and other uniformed agencies mainly to support the defense and security capabilities of the Republic of Indonesia. Aside from the defense industry, Pindad also produces industrial products for other fields such as transportation and commercial explosives. Pindad’s activities include design, development, engineering, and fabrication as well as maintenance. The munitions division is located in Turen, Malang, and has production facilities and laboratories on 166 hectares.
