The first serial and plans for the future. Production of medium tanks Kaplan MT / Harimau
The first serial Kaplan MT at the IDEF-2021 pavilion
Turkey and Indonesia have completed the development of a promising medium tank Kaplan MT / Harimau, and also began mass production of such equipment. The first serial armored vehicle of this model is already ready and was delivered to the IDEF-2021 exhibition in Istanbul. In the near future, the two countries plan to finish building the first batch of such equipment and transfer it to the Indonesian army.
From project to series
The Turkish-Indonesian agreement on the joint development of a medium-weight tank with the highest combat performance was signed in May 2015. The new project received the working designation MMWT. Later it was named Kaplan MT and Harimau ("Tiger" in the languages of the countries of the developers). The Turkish company FNSS and the Indonesian PT Pindad became the lead developers of the project.
The first experimental tank was presented in November 2016, and the second appeared in May 2017. Under the terms of the contract, prototypes were built in parallel at enterprises of the two countries. Tests of this technique continued until the fall of 2018, after which the developers announced their readiness to start mass production.
At IDEF-2019, the first contract for the serial production of Tigers for Indonesia was signed. In February 2020, FNSS and PT Pindad began construction. According to the contract, 10 tanks of the new model will be assembled at the FNSS plant in Turkey. The second production line has been prepared at the Indonesian enterprise, and it has to manufacture 8 more machines.
The first Kaplan MT is ready. On August 17, within the framework of the opened IDEF-2021 exhibition, the presentation of this machine took place. The tank is said to be fully compliant with the customer's requirements and is ready for service. It is planned to be handed over to Indonesia in the very near future.
Serial appearance
The main features and features of the technical appearance, as well as the characteristics and capabilities of the future medium tank were determined at the design stage. As the tests and experience gained, various design modifications were carried out, aimed at correcting shortcomings and improving performance. As a result, the serial Kaplan MT tank differs from the two experienced tanks externally and internally.
It is reported that the improvements have affected all key units and systems of the armored vehicle. Thus, the hull design has been redesigned in comparison with prototypes to obtain some advantages. The power plant and transmission were improved, as well as the cooling system - in accordance with operation in hot climates. The undercarriage provides improved flotation in typical Indonesian terrain.
The department of management has been seriously revised, incl. with a change in the design of the upper frontal part of the body. Now, above the driver's seat, there is a low superstructure with periscopes designed for use on the march and in a combat situation. The ergonomics of the workplace and controls have also been changed. Changes to the two-seater fighting compartment are also aimed at improving the convenience of work.
One of the experienced Harimau at the parade in Indonesia
Despite all the improvements, the main features and characteristics of the Kaplan MT / Harimau tank remained unchanged. This is a vehicle with a combat weight of no more than 35 tons, with level 4 bulletproof armor according to the STANAG 4569 standard (resistance to 14,5 mm bullets). Installation of hinged modules providing the 5th level is possible. The reinforced bottom corresponds to the 3a / b level and protects the crew from 10 kg of TNT. Used Caterpillar C13 710 hp engine. and an Allison / Caterpillar X300 automatic transmission.
The tank is equipped with a CMI Defense Cockerill 3105 fighting compartment in the form of a full-size turret with two workplaces. Armament includes a 105-mm Cockerill CT-CV 105HP rifled cannon with an automatic loader for 12 unitary rounds (another 30 are placed in the hull packing). There is a coaxial machine gun of normal caliber and a set of smoke grenade launchers. The tower is equipped with all necessary sighting devices and fire control devices.
Production plans
According to the 2019 contract, FNSS and PT Pindad must jointly produce a batch of 18 tanks. The first car is already ready, and almost all of the remaining ones are at various stages of construction. It is reported that the two manufacturers will complete the assembly of the first batch of equipment by the end of this year. No later than the beginning of 2022, the Tigers will be handed over to the Indonesian army.
During IDEF-2021, plans for the near future were announced. So, a second order for 52 tanks should appear soon. They should be built and handed over during 2022. In 2023, it is planned to build 19 more tanks. In 2024, 17 units will be collected. Thus, over the next three years, the customer will purchase 106 tanks of the new model.
Prototype on trials
Earlier, up to 2018-19. project participants talked about the need to build more tanks. The needs of the Indonesian army for such equipment reach 400 units. However, after the development of the project was completed and the real cost of production was determined, the plans had to be revised. Indonesia in the medium term could afford no less than 200 and no more than 400 tanks.
Thus, the production plans are still only half of the minimum requirement of the Indonesian army. This suggests that in the foreseeable future there will be new orders for at least a hundred tanks - to exceed the 200 units. If Indonesia manages to find the necessary funding, then it is possible to purchase more cars.
The total construction time of two hundred Kaplan MT tanks or more equipment has not yet been named. Serial production began in 2020, and the current plans are scheduled until 2024. This means that for 106 tanks, approx. 5 years. It should be borne in mind that production has already been established and there is a fundamental possibility of building fifty machines per year. The planned production volumes for 2022 may well be extended to other periods, which will make it possible to build the maximum possible number of tanks in a limited time frame.
Export potential
The promising MMWT / Kaplan MT / Harimau medium tank was created at the initiative of Indonesia. This country became the first customer of such equipment and will remain its sole operator for an indefinite period. At the same time, FNSS and PT Pindad do not want to maintain this state of affairs and expect to receive new contracts from third countries.
Even at the design and testing stage, the development organizations claimed that the Tiger tank would be brought to the international market and would find new foreign buyers. In this regard, the experienced equipment has been repeatedly shown at various exhibitions and other events. The foreign military showed interest in the new tank, but everything was limited only to inspecting the exhibits and talking with representatives of the developers.
However, Turkey and Indonesia do not lose hope and continue to demonstrate the new tank at exhibitions. Now they have the opportunity to attract a buyer not only with experienced, but also with serial samples. Perhaps thanks to this, the current IDEF-2021 exhibition will ensure the emergence of real orders and will be an important milestone in stories Kaplan MT/Harimau.
It is assumed that the Turkish-Indonesian tank and similar samples have some export potential. The Kaplan MT project implements the idea of building a medium-weight tank with a limited level of protection and firepower. Such an armored vehicle should combine a relatively low price and optimal combat qualities. She is protected from most real threats, and is also capable of fighting most targets on the battlefield, with the exception of modern main tanks.
Not all countries have the opportunity to buy advanced MBTs, and in addition, not all armies are faced with a threat in the form of the main tanks of a potential enemy. They are considered as potential buyers of "new look" medium tanks, such as the Kaplan MT, etc. However, despite the expectations of the industry, mass orders and deliveries of such equipment have not yet been observed.
The first and not the last
In general, the Turkish and Indonesian industries have a reason to be proud. In just six years, they were able to create and bring to the series a full-fledged armored combat vehicle with sufficiently high characteristics that fully meets the customer's requirements.
At the moment, only one Kaplan MT / Harimau tank has been built and is ready for demonstration. However, in the coming months it is planned to commission the entire first batch of 18 units, and full-scale construction is scheduled for next year. Will it be possible to fulfill the current plans in the form of 106 tanks by 2024, receive new orders from the Indonesian army and find customers in the person of third countries - time will tell.
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