The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has handed over 52 armoured vehicles – manufactured by PT Pindad – a key subsidiary of the state-owned DefendID consortium – to the Indonesian Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat: TNI-AD).
PT Pindad announced in a statement on 28 February that the MoD handed over 10 Harimau medium tanks, three Badak 6×6 armoured direct-fire support vehicles, and 10 Pandur II 8×8 fire support vehicles to the TNI-AD. Other vehicles included 12 Anoa 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), seven Komodo 4×4 light armoured vehicle, and 10 Maung 4×4 light tactical vehicles.
In particular, the Harimau medium tank is the result of a collaboration between PT Pindad and Türkiye’s FNSS Defence Systems.
PT Pindad earlier stated that it had successfully performed live-firing testing to validate the capabilities of the Harimau tank at the Cipatat Pusdikif shooting range as well as other performance and functional tests the Pusdikkav Padalarang and PT Pindad test areas between 22 and 23 August 2023.
According to PT Pindad, the test activities included firing of its 105 mm high-pressure main gun with high-explosive plastic with tracer (HEP-T) munitions as well as its 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun. Other events included turret testing, as well as validation of the tank’s key components such as its engine and powerpack, running gear, communication equipment, and its battle management system (BMS).
The Harimau medium tank is derived from the Kaplan MT, which subsequently evolved into the joint effort called the Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT).
FNSS earlier delivered Kaplan MT hulls to PT Pindad, which then performed integration opt pin the CMI Defense Cockerill C3105 turret as well as associated equipment at the latter’s facility.
Unlike the Leopard 2RI main battle tanks (MBTs) used by the army, the Harimau’s combat weight of approximately 35 tonnes enables it to access less-developed road and bridge networks, potentially expanding its operating areas.
by Jr Ng
