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Kaplan MT A Key Asset for Indonesian Armed Forces at SAHA 2024.
At the SAHA 2024 exhibition in Istanbul, FNSS presented its Kaplan MT medium tank, designed to meet the increasing demands of modern military operations. This armored vehicle represents a strategic solution combining firepower, mobility, and protection, bridging the gap between main battle tanks and light armored vehicles. Already in service with the Indonesian army, the Kaplan MT is notable for its ability to adapt to a wide range of combat scenarios, providing a balanced solution for both conventional and unconventional operations.
The Kaplan MT design allows for a lighter version with 12 rounds for air deployment, a crucial requirement for rapid deployment operations (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The Kaplan MT is equipped with a two-man turret featuring a John Cockerill 105mm NATO-standard rifled gun. This main weapon system allows for the use of different types of ammunition, including armor-piercing and explosive shells, offering flexibility to engage a broad range of targets.
The automatic loading system ensures a rapid firing rate while reducing the crew's workload, with a capacity of 16 rounds in the standard configuration. Additionally, the tank’s design allows for a lighter version with 12 rounds for air deployment, a crucial requirement for rapid deployment operations.
The Kaplan MT offers ballistic protection in line with STANAG 4569 Level 4 standards, with armor capable of withstanding 14.5mm armor-piercing rounds and 155mm artillery shell fragments. It is also designed to resist a 10kg TNT explosion under its tracks and hull, protecting the crew and internal systems.
This protection can be enhanced with additional armor modules, elevating it to STANAG Level 5, which increases resistance to 25mm armor-piercing rounds. The Kaplan MT also features smoke grenade launchers, a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) protection system, and a laser warning system, boosting its defensive capabilities against both asymmetric and conventional threats.
The Kaplan MT embodies FNSS’s vision for modern armored vehicle design (Picture source: FNSS)
Powered by a diesel engine paired with a fully automatic transmission, the Kaplan MT delivers 20 horsepower per ton, ensuring optimal mobility and agility based on operational needs. It reaches a maximum speed of 70 km/h and has an operational range of 450 km, allowing for rapid deployment and extended mobility across varied terrains. Its performance includes the ability to climb slopes of up to 60% and overcome vertical obstacles of 0.9 meters, demonstrating its capability to operate in challenging environments and meet the demands of modern battlefields.
On March 29, 2024, the first Kaplan MT medium tanks, also known as Harimau, entered service with the Indonesian army. This deployment marked a strategic milestone for Indonesia, making it the second country in Asia, after the Philippines with its Sabra light tanks produced by Elbit Systems, to equip its forces with a modern medium tank.
The Kaplan MT embodies FNSS’s vision for modern armored vehicle design. Its modular structure, combined with advanced electronic components and a battlefield management system, significantly enhances tactical awareness and survivability on the battlefield. Already exported to Indonesia, this medium tank could see increased adoption by other armies worldwide, further solidifying FNSS’s position as a leading producer of next-generation armored vehicles.