In a recent visit by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, to the PT Pindad headquarters in Bandung on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, PT Pindad made a significant announcement regarding its contribution to the Indonesian Army. The company revealed the successful completion of 18 Harimau (FNSS Kaplan MT) medium tanks, along with 23 units of Cobra (GDELS Pandur) 8×8 Armoured personnel carriers and an impressive 5,000 units of Maung 4×4 tactical vehicles for the initial phase. These developments mark a substantial enhancement of Indonesia’s defense capabilities. Furthermore, PT Pindad is not only focused on creating new defense products but also on modernizing existing assets. In 2023, the company has undertaken a contract for the refurbishment and retrofitting of the AMX-13 light tanks, originally manufactured in France and currently in service with the Indonesian Army.
Harimau (Kaplan MT) is a lightweight tank jointly developed by Turkish manufacturer FNSS and Indonesian manufacturer Pindad. The development program name for the tank is Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT). The tank itself is called Kaplan MT by Turkey and Harimau by Indonesia, both meaning “Tiger”. The new generation KAPLAN MT is the sole and exclusive modern Medium Weight Tank designed with rear powerpack and not a conversion of a variant from an existing Kaplan IFV. The KAPLAN MT is fitted with the latest generation John Cockerill 3105 turret, armed with high-pressure 105 mm Cockerill gun, which gives it a unique anti-armour punch. It is ideal for infantry support and medium weight tank roles. The 3105 has a unique indirect firing capability that permits engagement in urban and other complex terrains.
On 7 February 2020, it was announced that mass production of the MMWT has started. In IDEF 2021 (17–20 August 2021), the production model of Harimau / Kaplan MT is revealed. The tank fired several rounds of HEP-T (High Explosive Plastic Tracer) and TPCSDS-T (Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer) at 4×4 meters target from range of 1,250 meters in various firing positions. The tank then underwent mobility tests at a section of Padalarang-Bandung toll highway and at PT Pindad facility. On 15 March 2022, a ceremony was held to mark the official completion of the first batch of 10 tanks produced at FNSS facility in Turkey. The remaining 8 turretless hull were to be sent to Indonesia after the ceremony for final turret assembly and delivery to the Indonesian Army. The second batch production of 8 tanks will be built by PT Pindad in Indonesia with FNSS assistance.
PT Pindad (formerly abbreviated from Perindustrian Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat, lit. indonesian Army Industries), is an Indonesian state-owned enterprise specialising in military and commercial products. Pindad provides the armaments and munitions for the Indonesian National Armed Forces and other uniformed agencies mainly to support the defense and security capabilities of the Republic of Indonesia. PT Pindad’s activities include design, development, engineering and fabrication as well as maintenance. In addition to its military contracts, the company has diversified its portfolio in 2023 to include products such as tractors, excavators, gas cylinders, and more. This expansion showcases PT Pindad’s versatility and dedication to contributing to Indonesia’s industrial growth and self-sufficiency.
