The first Turkish export tank, the Kaplan MT, is delivered to the Indonesian army
Serial production of the first batch of Kaplan MT The modern medium-weight tanks (MMWT), jointly developed by FNSS, one of Turkey’s manufacturers of armored ground vehicles, and the Indonesian arms industry company PT Pindad, have been completed and delivered to Indonesia. As a result, Turkey achieved its first tank export.
The delivery ceremony held at FNSS facilities in Ankara’s Gölbaşı district was attended by Chairman of the Turkish Defense Industry Presidency İsmail Demir, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Turkey , Dr. Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, FNSS Director General Nail Kurt, PT Pindad leadership, Indonesian military and Ministry of Defense representatives.
İsmail Demir, speaking to the press after the ceremony, noted that the collaboration between the two companies has been going on for a long time and that “mass production of the product has started and deliveries will continue. Turkey is at a very good point in terms of armored vehicles and is asserting itself in this regard. Demir said that the cooperation model with Indonesia serves as an example and that many more agreements on issues such as cooperation and exports would be concluded in the near future. Demir also said that new agreements will be signed one by one and Turkey’s export expansion will continue.
The KAPLAN MT project began with an interstate agreement signed in 2015 between the Presidency of Industry (SSB) and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense to meet Indonesia’s need for a modern medium tank. Then, at IDEF 2019, FNSS and PT Pindad signed a contract for 18 tanks, which started the mass production phase. The signed contract provides that the first ten tanks will be built in Turkey and the last eight tanks will be built in Indonesia.
The tank, known in Turkey as Kaplan MT and in Indonesia as Harimau, can be used in a variety of scenarios thanks to its modern ballistic and mine protection systems as well as a wide selection of weapons that can be used for infantry support. as well as anti-tank engagement on the battlefield.
According to FNSS, the Kaplan MT has a 6-wheel suspension system with double-pin tracks and torsion shafts that give it mobility. It embodies the qualities of terrain adaptability and ride control, especially in mountainous and rugged terrain where main battle tanks will have difficulty entering and on roads with low load-carrying bridges.
The Kaplan MT power pack includes a high capacity cooling unit as well as fuel tanks. Intelligent software cooling the cooling unit provides optimum torque efficiency and fuel savings, while two separate fuel tanks in the vehicle provide a minimum range of 450 kilometres. The emergency power unit, on the other hand, charges the battery system and allows the vehicle tower to be used when the engine is not running.
The Kaplan MT is equipped with daytime and thermal cameras for the driver, a multifunctional digital instrument panel for the driver and a third-generation high-performance aiming system for the gunner and commander. Additionally, a Battlefield Management System (BMS) and Laser Warning System (LWS) are available to provide the crew with tactical and situational awareness. The CMI Cockerill 3105 turret, which houses a Cockerill 105mm high pressure cannon and an advanced autoloader, provides the firepower of the vehicle. In addition to the main gun, the platform has a coaxial 7.62×51mm machine gun.