IndoDefense 2025: Indonesia presents X18 Tank Boat with Belgian Cockerill 3030 turret for coastal and river operations.

Indonesia’s X18 Tank Boat, also known as “Antasena,” is showcased at IndoDefense 2025 as a catamaran-based armored combat vessel developed through a joint project involving PT Pindad, PT Lundin (North Sea Boats), PT Len Industri, PT Hariff Daya Tunggal Engineering, and John Cockerill Defense. Its current configuration includes the Cockerill 3030 unmanned turret, integrating a 30mm automatic cannon tested for both programmable airburst and anti-armor munitions. The X18 program began in 2011 and was first presented as a concept in 2014, with a prototype launched on April 28, 2021, in Banyuwangi, East Java.
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The X18 Tank Boat model displayed at IndoDefense 2025 is equipped with the Cockerill 3030 turret, which has also been integrated on the FNSS Pars Alpha 6x6 concept vehicle presented at FEINDEF 2025. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the vessel is undergoing sea trials, builder trials, factory acceptance testing, and harbor acceptance testing. It is designed to perform operations in Indonesia’s rivers, coastal waters, and sea lanes. The boat is named “Antasena” by the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and is intended to carry out troop transport, coastal surveillance, interdiction, support to amphibious operations, and Coast Guard tasks.

The X18 Tank Boat model displayed at IndoDefense 2025 is equipped with the Cockerill 3030 remotely operated turret manufactured by John Cockerill Defense. This turret integrates the 30mm XM813 electrically powered chain gun with a two-drum feed system containing 255 rounds of 30x173mm ammunition, including MK310 programmable airburst munitions. The turret also includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and supports pintle mounts for 12.7mm heavy machine guns or 40mm grenade launchers. Elevation ranges from -10° to +60°, with a fully stabilized mount and dual hunter/killer sights for the gunner and commander. These sights are compatible with second-generation FLIR and offer detection, recognition, and identification ranges of 18/9/5 km (daylight) and 15/7/3.5 km (thermal). Ballistic protection for the turret reaches STANAG 4569 Level 5, and the configuration includes eight smoke grenade launchers and options for acoustic gunshot detection, laser warning systems, and active protection systems.

The Cockerill 3030 turret was previously tested under the U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center Medium Caliber Armament System (MCAS) CRADA program. As part of this agreement, John Cockerill Defense America delivered a version of the 3030 equipped with the XM813 cannon for testing with DEVCOM-AC’s situational fire control system. Over 5,000 rounds were fired during trials, including programmable munitions. The program generated data for fire control integration and led to further CAD work for a future version compatible with the XM913 50mm cannon. The turret is optionally manned, supports both two- and three-person crew configurations, and features under-armor reloading and maintenance access. The modular architecture enables further upgrades in armament and fire control. This turret has also been integrated on the FNSS Pars Alpha 6x6 concept vehicle presented at FEINDEF 2025.

The X18 Tank Boat has a hull constructed from fire-retardant carbon fiber composite material, which is described by its manufacturer as ten times lighter and ten times stronger than steel. Its foil-assisted catamaran configuration gives it a shallow draft of less than one meter, enabling navigation in swampy or shallow waters. The standard configuration includes a length of 18.75 meters, a beam of 7.5 meters, and a displacement of 43 tons. The propulsion system consists of two MAN 1,200 hp diesel engines or two 1,700 hp MTU engines, each coupled with MJP450 waterjets, allowing for a maximum speed of 50 knots and an operational range of up to 600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 9 knots. The Tank Boat can carry a five-person crew and between 20 and 60 troops, depending on the configuration and mission profile. The rear deck supports logistics transport and integration of additional modules, including a beach landing ramp, drone launch and recovery systems, and mortar plates.

Multiple configurations of the Tank Boat exist. The APC variant, known as APC-60, is intended primarily for troop transport. It is equipped with the Cockerill CPWS Gen 2 turret armed with a 25 or 30mm automatic cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The CPWS turret is fitted with a panoramic day/night sight, allowing 360-degree observation and independent targeting. The vessel supports modular payloads such as drones, mortars, missile launchers, and RHIBs. NORTHSEADRONES quadcopters are being tested for ISR integration with the Cockerill turret. The navigation and communication suite includes two GPS receivers, two WECDIS consoles, a radar station, a conning station, five WECIDS trackballs, ten 24-inch monitors, a gyrocompass from iXblue, AIS, magnetic compass, autopilot, and a weather station. PT Len Industri supplies VHF and HF radios, while PT Hariff provides the battlefield management system. All electronics are integrated via redundant LAN networks to ensure operational continuity in case of failure.

The engine room and ventilation system were developed by Marine Air Flow International (MAFI), with a two-stage air intake and single-stage exhaust system designed for high humidity and salinity conditions typical of East Java. Stainless steel fire dampers and AC high-volume fans were installed to ensure adequate airflow and safety compliance. The Tank Boat’s rear deck supports modular logistics capabilities, with space for UAVs, supply containers, or mortar units, and can serve as a base for sniper teams or heavy machine guns. Additional features include troop hatches, a beach landing ramp, and a high-speed inflatable craft for interdiction missions. The platform’s design supports low operational costs, the use of commercial off-the-shelf navigation systems, and integration with future technologies.

Concept art and early promotional material indicated a variant of the Tank Boat equipped with a 105mm Cockerill 3105 gun capable of direct and indirect fire. The gun can fire NATO-standard high-explosive shells as well as the Falarick 105 Gun-Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (GLATGM), with a maximum range of 5,000 meters for guided munitions and 10,000 meters for indirect fire. The turret enables +42° elevation, giving the boat the ability to engage targets behind cover or in complex terrain. Although this version is not currently in testing, the modular architecture allows for turret interchangeability. Similar systems have been studied by the U.S. Army and other militaries seeking hybrid vehicles combining armor and maritime capability.

The X18 Tank Boat is part of a broader category of armored naval craft, comparable to Soviet-era riverine vessels like the Project 1124 and Project 1204 Shmel-class artillery boats, which mounted T-28 or T-34 tank turrets. Finland and the UAE have operated similar small mortar boats such as the Patria NEMO. However, the Tank Boat differs in design purpose, being developed around a composite catamaran hull with integrated modern sensors, remote systems, and ballistic protection equivalent to contemporary armored vehicles. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has stated that the vessel is expected to support territorial security and patrol duties, but doctrinal adoption by the Navy or Army remains undetermined. The prototype is intended as a testbed to evaluate detection systems, weapons integration, and command-and-control systems for operations in Indonesia’s coastal and riverine environments. Further procurement decisions are pending based on the outcome of trials and operational evaluations.