Medium Tank Kaplan MT (Turkey / Indonesia)
Medium project tank Kaplan MT was developed as part of a collaboration between the Turkish company FNSS and the Indonesian PT Pindad. In the near future, a new armored vehicle may be offered to the armed forces of Indonesia. In the future, its entry into the international arms and equipment market with the aim of obtaining new contracts is not ruled out. However, for obvious reasons, while the authors of the project can only make plans regarding the future of the tank.
The joint Turkish-Indonesian project Kaplan MT is another modern attempt to create and launch a medium-sized tank on the market, characterized by rather high technical and combat characteristics, but at the same time having a price acceptable to most potential buyers. In addition, certain features of the shown machine clearly indicate that it was developed taking into account the experience of local conflicts of recent decades and is intended for use in such wars.
It can be argued that the basis of the Kaplan MT project is the desire to create a new armored vehicle, devoid of the shortcomings of the main battle tanks. The appearance of the latter was formed taking into account the peculiarities of a hypothetical major war between powerful military-political blocs, as a result of which the highest characteristics and unique capabilities were obtained. However, in the context of local conflicts with numerous urban battles, etc. main tanks do not show themselves in the best way.
In light of the features of the so-called. low intensity conflicts, the main tanks are prohibitively expensive to purchase and operate, and are also not sufficiently protected from characteristic threats. The highest firepower, in turn, is often redundant due to the frequent lack of comparable targets for the enemy. Thus, a tank adapted to local conflicts should differ markedly from the armored vehicle of the main class. This problem was attempted by Turkish and Indonesian experts.
It should be noted that the project of a promising medium tank cannot be called a novelty. For the first time, information about this development was published two years ago - in May, 2015. Then the joint program was called MMWT (Modern Medium Weight Tank - "Perspective medium weight tank"). In the autumn of last year, some information, drawings and three-dimensional animation, showing the tank and its main features, were published. The first full-scale model of an armored vehicle was shown only after the opening of the IDEF 2017 exhibition.
To obtain the required characteristics and capabilities, as well as reduce the cost of finished equipment in the Kaplan MT project, it was proposed to use the maximum number of ready-made components. Thus, the redesigned Kaplan 20 infantry fighting vehicle chassis of Turkish design, also proposed for use in some other projects, should be used as the main element of the medium tank. It is proposed to mount an existing Belgian-made combat module on the chassis, carrying barrel and missile weapons. All this allows to significantly reduce the final cost of serial equipment and thereby attract potential customers.
An interesting feature of the new project, which distinguishes it from other similar developments, is the approach to shaping the appearance of the chassis. For some reason, the designers of FNSS and PT Pindad decided to noticeably rework the body and layout of the existing BMP, rebuilding it in accordance with traditional views on the design of tanks. In the case of the Kaplan 20 BMP and other machines of the new family, the front part of the hull was given under the engine compartment, and the landing compartment was located in the stern. The promising medium tank received the aft power compartment, while the released volumes were allocated for crew accommodation and weapons.
In accordance with current requirements, promising medium tank received several levels of protection. Provision is made for the use of a hull's own booking (apparently with homogeneous protection) capable of withstanding firing of a frontal projection from small-caliber guns. On top of the hull armor, it is proposed to install additional mounted modules that increase resistance to shells and cumulative ammunition. There is mine protection in the form of bevelled side parts of the bottom. It is noteworthy that the exact protection parameters have not yet been announced.
The use of the finished hull, subjected to certain modifications, led to the preservation of the main external contours. Thus, the frontal projection of the hull is protected by two inclined armor plates of various shapes and sizes. The upper part is located under a large slope and occupies about a third of the total body length. The lower armor plate has a smaller angle of inclination and protects most of the projection. The upper frontal leaf is also a protection for developed flank niches. Behind the front of the unit are vertical sides with rectangular niches and a horizontal roof. As with the base BMP, several feed sheets are used, collected at different angles.
In the aft hull of the tank Kaplan MT is proposed to place the power plant, made in the form of a single unit. It is argued that to obtain the required characteristics of the machine will have a specific power at the level of 20 hp per ton. Thus, it is planned to use engines with a capacity of at least 700 hp. Due to this, the tank will be able to reach speeds of up to 75 km / h and show a power reserve at the level of 450 km.
The transfer of the power plant in the aft compartment demanded the appropriate refinement of the chassis. The latter, in general, retains the previous design, however, some of its elements have undergone refinement. On each side of the hull there are six support rollers of average diameter, equipped with an individual torsion bar suspension. Additional depreciation is not used. Between the third and fourth pairs of rollers there is an increased gap. In front of the hull are the guide wheels, in the stern - leading. The medium tank on display at IDEF 2017 received tracks with additional rubber pads. Chassis cover rubber-sided screens.
Basic BMP was equipped with fodder water cannons for movement on water. In connection with the growth of combat mass and other requirements for the characteristics of the tank at its base lost such equipment. Water barriers can be overcome only ford.
The new project Kaplan MT provides for the use of the Belgian CMI Cockerill 3105 combat module. This product was developed as part of the Cockerill 3000 series, distinguished by the use of a modular approach to shaping the appearance of finished samples. The numbers in the designation of the combat module indicate the caliber of the main armament - 105 mm. The tower is made habitable, but it has automated weapon service and control systems.
The combat module CMI Cockerill 3105 has an armored body of complex shape, formed by several straight panels of different sizes. There is a trapezoidal frontal part, in the central embrasure of which a pyramidal swinging mask of the gun is placed. The sides of the tower are installed with a slight inclination inward. Provision is made for the use of a relatively large forage niche, which own sides are covered with additional armor plates. In the frontal part of the turret, the cannon installation and its control systems are located, the central volume is designed to accommodate the crew, and in the stern niche there is a mechanized stacking of ammunition.
The main weapon of the Kaplan MT medium tank is the 105-mm rifled gun launcher. The gun is equipped with a developed muzzle brake and ejector. The barrel is equipped with a heat shield. The gun is compatible with all existing ammunition caliber 105 mm for various purposes. In addition, the possibility of using several types of guided missiles. The gun is equipped with an automatic loader, which supplies unitary shots from the stern battle system of the turret. All control of the instrument and the automatic loader is carried out with crew jobs.
For observation, search for targets and weapon guidance, it is proposed to use two sets of optical-electronic systems mounted on the roof of the tower. The starboard frontal part of the tower has a relatively deep niche in which one of the means of observation is located. The second is placed at the left side of the U-shaped support, providing guidance in two planes. As you can see, both devices are equipped with video cameras, thermal imagers and laser range finders.
The armored vehicle is proposed to be equipped with modern means of communication, providing data transmission and target designation. Provides for the use of navigation equipment, means of detecting laser irradiation, etc.
To the left of the gun on the same machine with it is placed a twin machine gun rifle caliber. The prototype of the tank shown on the IDEF 2017 does not have anti-aircraft armament mounted on the turret roof. Perhaps in the future, the tank will receive any additional combat module. The project proposes the use of smoke grenade launchers. The first demonstration materials showed the possibility of installing such equipment on the cheeks or sides of the tower. On the new prototype, grenade launchers are placed on the stern of the turret, under the outer armor cover.
To manage a new type of combat vehicle must be a crew of three. The workplace of the driver is placed in front of the case with a slight shift towards its center. To access the control compartment, an upper hatch is used, on which a “traditional” set of viewing devices is also placed. Because of the relatively large tower, the driver's hatch has a cover that is moved to the side. The commander and gunner are located in the fighting compartment. They have their own hatches in the roof of the tower, and must also use the existing optoelectronic and other equipment. The project proposes the use of wireless communications crew. Inhabited compartments have a collective defense system against weapons of mass destruction.
According to the available data, a prospective Turkish-Indonesian medium tank should be little different from the already known infantry fighting vehicle Kaplan 20. At the same time, the presence of a different heavier tower, additional reservations and various modifications of the design led to an increase in the combat mass to 35 t and a corresponding change in the mobility characteristics.
To date, the company FNSS and PT Pindad managed to build only a prototype of the promising medium tank Kaplan MT, right now participating in the exhibition IDEF 2017. Probably in the near future there may be new prototypes. At what stage the project is located is unknown. Perhaps an experienced tank has already reached the landfill or will do it in the very near future. At the same time, it can be expected that during the tests and refinement the authors of the project will have to face certain difficulties. Despite a certain unification with an existing model, a new type of tank has new features and characteristics.
The newest medium tank, developed taking into account the experience of recent armed conflicts, may be of particular interest to various customers, primarily for the armies of the countries developing the project. Already there is information about the possible appearance of a contract for the supply of Kaplan MT armored vehicles to the armed forces of Indonesia. In the future, Turkey may also show its interest in this technology, as well as making every effort to update the fleet of armored vehicles of the ground forces. In the foreseeable future, the Turkish Defense Ministry intends to replace the outdated technology with newer Kaplan vehicles, which could also lead to the purchase of tanks based on such a chassis. Whether the new armored vehicle will be able to interest other foreign countries is too early to say.
The promising medium tank Kaplan MT, presented at IDEF 2017, is another attempt to solve existing problems typical of modern armed conflicts. Despite the most serious progress in the field of armored vehicles, outdated medium tanks of the middle of the last century are still widespread. Judging by the available data, they are considered as the main opponents of the newest Turkish-Indonesian tank. To combat such goals, the tank does not need a powerful smooth-bore gun and can use a smaller-caliber rifled system.
Declared the use of its own and additional funds to protect the combat vehicle from both kinetic and cumulative ammunition. A curved bottom should provide enhanced protection against explosive devices. All these measures were taken in the light of the characteristic threats of the present time, due to the large proliferation of a variety of infantry anti-tank systems and mines.
A curious feature of the new project is the use of a ready-made chassis platform. Such an approach to development could be proposed not only due to the need to reduce the cost of equipment due to unification. Currently, the Turkish military is considering the Kaplan platform as the main means of upgrading the fleet of armored vehicles. An average tank based on such a chassis is fully capable of finding a place in the Turkish army, and a unified chassis will help simplify its operation.
It should be noted that the average tank Kaplan MT of the joint Turkish-Indonesian development is not something revolutionary new. The problems of the main battle tanks in the context of modern local conflicts became known a long time ago, and already many of the market participants in the armored vehicles managed to respond to such challenges. Over the past few years, a number of well-known companies from different countries have offered their options for medium-mass armored vehicles with cannon armament, capable of fighting obsolete medium tanks, but not differing in excessive cost.
Thus, entering the international market, the newest medium tank Kaplan MT will face quite tough competition. He will have to "compete" with already known samples that have been present on the market for a longer time and, as a result, have managed to attract more attention. It is also necessary to take into account that the new medium tanks - with all their advantages - have not yet received wide distribution. Despite all the expectations and the logic of the emergence of such technology, machines of this class are not in particular demand among customers. Thus, several projects will have to fight for a few orders at once - if they still appear.
Known information about the possible mass production of Kaplan MT tanks for Indonesia can be a cause for restrained optimism among developers. In this case, the car really has a chance to reach mass production and operation in the army. However, the specificity of the military equipment market is such that the new project has every chance of being lost among similar foreign developments and leading to the re-equipment of only one or two armies.
On the materials of the sites:
https://fnss.com.tr/
http://cmigroupe.com/
http://defence-blog.com/
http://monch.com/
https://jakartagreater.com/
Information