Kaplan MT Medium Tank Project was initiated with G2G Agreement between Presidency of Defence Industries of Türkiye (SSB) and Ministry of Defence of Indonesia. In 2015, a corporation agreement was signed between DG Defence Potential of Indonesia and SSB in order to develop 2 prototype vehicles. Within the scope of the project under the KAPLAN MT (HARIMAU) Medium Weight Class Tank Serial Production Long-Term Collaboration Agreement signed between FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.?. and PT Pindad in 2019, FNSS completed the production of the first batch of vehicles with the serial production configuration. The vehicles, developed within the scope of the Project were presented to the representatives from Indonesia Army, Indonesian Ministry of Defence, and PT Pindad management, with the attendance of Defense Industry Presidency of Türkiye and Ministry of National Defence of Türkiye.
The tank is officially classified as Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT). The tank is called Kaplan MT by Turkey and Harimau by Indonesia. Meaning of both Kaplan and Harimau is Tiger. The MMWT is equipped with a Cockerill CT-CV 105HP (High Pressure) 105 mm rifled gun manufactured by John Cockerill, with the barrel mounting a bore evacuator and thermal jacket. It’s also equipped with an IFF system, Hunter Killer System for target selection, and Auto Target Locking System to assist the Gunner. It is categorized as STANAG 4569 level 4 protection, which means the tank can withstand 14.5×114mm AP rounds at 200 meters with 911 m/s velocity. The underbelly of the tank uses V-hull, able to withstand 10 kg AT mine under the tracks and under the center. Due to modularity, the armor can be augmented to level 5 protection (withstand 25 mm APDS-T at 500 m with 1258 m/s velocity) without increasing the volume of the tank, with the frontal arc able to withstand 30 mm rounds.A modular PULAT Active Protection System joint-developed by ASELSAN and TÜB?TAK SAGE can be integrated.
Following the “KAPLAN MT Medium Tank Platform Production Completion Ceremony” held in FNSS facilities, all tank platforms will be shipped to Indonesia for final turret assembly and delivered to Indonesian Army after the final acceptance stage. After the prototype development studies, FNSS has successfully completed the endurance and firing tests carried out in Indonesia. At the end of 2019, FNSS signed a joint production contract for a total of 18 KAPLAN MT vehicles and completed the design perfection studies carried out with the participation of end users in 2020. The production technical support and supply parts provided to PT Pindad for the vehicles to be produced in Indonesia were completed in 2021. These parts and subsystems were exported to Indonesia as tool kits and delivered to FNSS’ partner PT Pindad.
As of the beginning of 2022, FNSS successfully completed its project activities and made the vehicles produced in Türkiye ready for user inspection. Within the scope of the project, the remaining vehicles will be produced in Indonesia by PT Pindad with the technology transfer model successfully implemented by FNSS. While FNSS completed its design perfection studies in a short period of time and completed its production activities in Türkiye after acceptance, it once again demonstrated its export experience and success with the technology transfer model. The KAPLAN MT project also stands out by being Türkiye’s first defence export program in the Tank Class, which was started within the framework of the Defense Industry Cooperation Agreements signed between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Türkiye.
