Harimau medium tanks for Brunei and The Philippines.

IndoDefence 2018 gave the Indonesian company PT Pindad and the Turkish company FNSS a golden opportunity to demonstrate and, hence, efficiently advertise their Harimau/Kaplan medium tank. Harimau (Javanese tiger) is the Indonesian name, while Kaplan MT Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT) is the Turkish one. As told to Army Recognition by an FNSS representative, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Brunei have expressed interest in purchasing the tank, the two latter countries for 40 to 50 each.

The PT Pindad - FNSS Harimau/Kaplan medium tank demonstrated at IndoDefence 2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

FNSS and PT Pindad launched the development of the Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT) project called Kaplan MT (Medium Tank) to respond to a request from the Indonesia army for a new medium tank. The vehicle is fully operable in broad range of altitude, humidity and temperature scale of -18°C/+55°C. The joint development of Medium weight tank design architecture includes advanced ballistic and mine protection systems with broad range of fire power from close support of infantry to anti-armor.

This new generation medium tank's precision direct fire capability ensures required lethality with an outstanding tactical and strategic mobility. Turkey and Indonesia initiated the project to develop MMT in 2014. FNSS and PT Pindad are the prime contractors of the project, whose intellectual property rights are owned by the two countries. FNSS-PT Pindad Joint Development Medium Weight Tank comprises state of art modern technology platform with superior firepower supported with battlefield management and laser warning systems, providing tactical awareness to the commander.

The concept design of the MMWT was completed and unveiled during IndoDefence 2016. The first prototype of the Kaplan/Harimau was unveiled in May 2017 during IDEF, International Defense Industry Fair in Turkey. In august 2018, Indonesian Company PT Pindad announced final firing test with the Kaplan to control all the functions of the 105-mm CT-CV turret system, designed and developed by the Belgian Company CMI Defence. PT Pindad has concluded trials of the Harimau and is now in the process of achieving certification for the tank, which is expected before the end of 2018. According to PT Pindad, the Indonesian army has a requirement for 400 Harimau tanks.