Kaplan MT / Harimau

Kaplan MT or Harimau is a lightweight tank jointly developed by Turkish manufacturer FNSS and Indonesian manufacturer Pindad. The development program name for the tank is Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT). The tank itself is called Kaplan MT by Turkey and Harimau by Indonesia, both meaning "tiger".

Kaplan MT / Harimau
Second prototype of the Harimau Medium Tank in February 2022 undergoing Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
TypeLight tank or Medium tank
Place of originTurkey/Indonesia
Production history
DesignerFNSS
PT Pindad
Designed2015
Produced2017–present
No. built10 (2 prototype, 8 hull only) + 1 test hull
Specifications
Mass30–35 tonnes
Length6.952 m (22.8 ft) hull, 9.105 m (29.9 ft) including the gun
Width3.360 m (11 ft)
Height2.456 m (8.06 ft) turret top
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver)
ArmorSTANAG 4569 level 4[1] Ballistic Hull[2]

STANAG 4569 Level 5 Modular Add-on Armour[1]

V-hull underbelly[3]
Main
armament
Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure rifled gun[4][5]
Secondary
armament
7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
EngineCaterpillar C13 diesel engine
711 hp
Power/weight22.2 hp/t
TransmissionAllison/Caterpillar X300 full automatic[3]
SuspensionTorsion bar suspension
Maximum speed 70 km/h (governed), 78 km/h (tested road speed)[6]

History

The governments of Indonesia and Turkey first agreed in May 2015 to jointly develop the MMWT for the Indonesian Army at a reported cost of 30 million US dollars.[7] The development phase of the program was expected to take up to 37 months, with the first prototype being built in Turkey, and the second in Indonesia.[8] The intellectual property of the design was agreed upon to be shared between the two governments.

On 1 November 2016, during the 2016 Indo Defence expo, the first model of the tank was unveiled, along with some technical specifications.[9] Most notably, the vehicles overall weight was reported to be around 35 tonnes, and the main armament would be provided by a Belgian-made turret developed by CMI Defence featuring a 105 mm rifled barrel, capable of firing a wide range of projectiles.

On 9 May 2017 at the IDEF 2017 expo, the first prototype of the tank was revealed. The tank can be fitted with either a Cockerill XC-8 105mm concept turret or Cockerill 3105 modular turret. Additionally, the tank utilizes modular armor, allowing for quick replacement upon damage.[10]

On 5 September 2018, the general manager of FNSS told Turkey's Anadolu Agency that the tank had passed months of required qualification tests for the Indonesian Army, and was ready for mass production. He stated that the first batch of 20 to 25 tanks could be ordered as early as late 2018, and that the full number of tanks to be produced would likely fall between 200 and 400.[11]

On 7 February 2020, it was announced that mass production of the MMWT has started.[12]

In IDEF 2021 (17–20 August 2021), the production model of Harimau / Kaplan MT is revealed. Many improvements were made to the tank during the transition from prototype to mass production. In this context, driver visibility and handling ergonomics have been improved. The body design was perfected in line with the feedback from the end user. Based on the experience gained from the tests, improvements were made in the tower system, power transmission group, cooling system and suspension system.[13]

One of the prototype tanks underwent series of firing tests on 24–25 February 2022 at Army Infantry Education Center Cipatat, West Bandung Regency as part of the Factory Acceptance Trials (FAT). The tank fired several rounds of HEP-T (High Explosive Plastic Tracer) and TPCSDS-T (Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer) at 4x4 meters target from range of 1,250 meters in various firing positions. The tank then underwent mobility tests at a section of Padalarang-Bandung toll highway and at PT Pindad facility.[14] On 15 March 2022, a ceremony was held to mark the official completion of the first batch of 10 tanks produced at FNSS facility in Turkey. The remaining 8 turretless hull were to be sent to Indonesia after the ceremony for final turret assembly and delivery to the Indonesian Army.[15] The second batch production of 8 tanks will be built by PT Pindad in Indonesia with FNSS assistance.[16]

Design
Harimau prototype during parade of 72nd Anniversary of Indonesian National Armed Forces

Armament

The MMWT is equipped with a Cockerill CT-CV 105HP (High Pressure) 105 mm rifled gun manufactured by CMI (Cockerill Maintenance & Ingenierie SA Defense), with the barrel mounting a bore evacuator and thermal jacket. The turret is equipped with an autoloader and can be rotated 360 degrees both electronically and mechanically, with a maximum elevation/depression of 42 up to -10 degrees, and it's equipped with Gyro Stabilizer and Firing Control System. It's also equipped with an IFF system, Hunter Killer System for target selection, and Auto Target Locking System to assist the gunner.

Armor

The hull armor of MMWT is using modular armor. It is categorized as STANAG 4569 level 4 protection, which means the tank can withstand 14.5×114mm AP rounds at 200 meters with 911 m/s velocity. The underbelly of the tank uses V-hull, able to withstand 10 kg AT mine under the tracks and under the center. Due to modularity, the armor can be augmented to level 5 protection (withstand 25 mm APDS-T at 500 m with 1258 m/s velocity) without increasing the volume of the tank, with the frontal arc able to withstand 30 mm rounds.

Mobility

Dynamic and mobility test taken in 7–16 August 2018 to prove the specification design. The tank uses a Caterpillar C13 diesel engine generating 711 hp, coupled with Allison/Caterpillar X300 transmission. During the test the tank is able to reach 78 km/h in road speed. The prototype is able to cross 2 m trench and 0.9 m vertical obstacle.

Defensive Systems

The MMWT's survivability has been further strengthened. A modular PULAT active protection system joint-developed by ASELSAN and TUBITAK SAGE can be integrated. This ensures the tank's defensive capabilities against projectiles at all-angles.[17]

Operators

Future operators

Potential operators

Failed bids

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harimau (tank).

Contemporary competitors

Tanks with similar firepower

References
  1. Kable Intelligence Limited (2018). "Kaplan MT Modern Medium-Weight Tank". www.army-technology.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  2. "Technical Specifications - FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş." FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  3. antaranews.com. "Medium Tank Buatan Anak Negeri - ANTARA News". Antara News (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  4. "KAPLAN MT - FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş." FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  5. "John Cockerill Defense's C3105 turret". Janes.com.
  6. Indomiliter.com Official Channel (2018-08-10), Hadapi Medan Berat, Medium Tank Pindad Jalani Uji Dinamis, retrieved 2018-09-02
  7. Gumilang, Prima (2 November 2016). "Industri Pertahanan Akan Teken Kerja Sama di Indo Defence". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  8. "Turkey, Indonesia agree to develop medium-weight tank". Ankara. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  9. "Light weight, low profile [INDODEF16-D1]". IHS Jane's 360. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  10. "FNSS Resmi Perlihatkan Kaplan MT, Prototipe Medium Tank Garapan Bersama PT Pindad – Indomiliter.com". www.indomiliter.com. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  11. Dominguez, Gabriel (6 September 2018). "Kaplan MT ready for mass production, says report". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  12. "Tukish-Indonesian Kaplan-Harimau medium tank now in mass production | February 2020 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year".
  13. "Seri üretimdeki Kaplan tankı IDEF'te boy gösterecek". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  14. "Pindad Sukses Lakukan Uji Tembak Medium Tank Harimau 105 MM". pindad.com (in Indonesian). 24 February 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  15. "FNSS Completed the Serial Production; KAPLAN MT Medium Tank Platforms are on Their Way to Indonesia". fnss.com.tr. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  16. "Endonezya'nın KAPLAN MT Tankları'nın Üretimi Tamamlandı". savunmasanayist.com (in Turkish). 15 March 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  17. "FNSS Displays PULAT APS for the Kaplan Tank". IDEF 2019: FNSS displays for the first time Kaplan medium tank fitted with PULAT APS. 2 May 2019. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019.
  18. "Kemenhan Pesan Tank dan Panser Cobra ke PT Pindad - Bisnis Tempo.co". 12 April 2019.
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-07-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "'Türk Kaplanı'nın taliplileri artıyor".
  21. "18 Tank Harimau Pindad Bandung Versi Baru Perkuat TNI Tahun 2023, Ini Perbedaan Tampak". Desk Jabar. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  22. Grevatt, Jon (8 November 2018). "Indo Defence 2018: PT Pindad pursues medium tank exports". IHS Jane's 360. Jakarta. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  23. "Ghanaian military interested in equipment from Indonesia's PT Pindad". defenceWeb. 2 December 2019.
  24. "Menhan Malaysia Kepincut Tank Harimau Buatan PT Pindad". Okezone (in Indonesian). 2018-11-09. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  25. Dominguez, Gabriel (10 September 2018). "Philippines, Bangladesh interested in Kaplan MT". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  26. Sabrah Light Tank, Elbit Systems
  27. "Elbit to supply Sabrah light tanks to Philippine Army | Israel Defense". www.israeldefense.co.il. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  28. "PREMIUM: Philippines selects new tracked and wheeled armour - Land Warfare - Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
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