Engineering:Modern Medium Weight Tank

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MMWT
Harimau-hitam-medium-tank.jpg
Harimau in celebration of the 72nd Anniversary of Indonesian National Armed Forces.
TypeArmoured fighting vehicle, Medium Tank/Light Tank
Place of origin Turkey
 Indonesia
Production history
DesignerFNSS
PT PINDAD
Designed2015
Produced2017-present
No. built2 (Prototype)+ 1 test hull
Specifications
Mass32-35 tonnes
Length6.952 m (22.8 ft) hull, 9.105 m (29.9 ft) including the gun
Width3.360 m (11 ft)
Height2.456 m (8.06 ft) turret top
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver)

ArmourSTANAG 4569 level 4[1] Ballistic Hull [2]

STANAG 4569 Level 5 Modular Add-on Armour[1]

V-hull underbelly[3]
Main
armament
Cockerill 105mm high-pressure rifled gun [4][5]
Secondary
armament
7.62mm coaxial machine gun
EngineCaterpillar C13 Diesel Engine
711 hp
Power/weight22.2 hp/t
TransmissionAllison/Caterpillar X300 full automatic[3]
SuspensionTorsion Bar Suspension
Speed70 km/h (governed), 78 km/h (tested road speed)[6]


The Modern Medium Weight Tank, also known as the MMWT, is a collaborative tank program between Turkish manufacturer FNSS and Indonesian manufacturer PT Pindad. Names for this tank includes Kaplan MT (Turkey), Harimau / Tiger (Indonesia).

History

The governments of Indonesia and Turkey first agreed in May 2015 to jointly develop the MMWT for the Indonesian Army at a reported cost of 30 million US dollars.[7] The development phase of the program was expected to take up to 37 months, with the first prototype being built in Turkey, and the second in Indonesia.[8] The intellectual property of the design was agreed upon to be shared between the two governments.

On 1 November 2016, during the 2016 Indo Defence expo, the first model of the tank was unveiled, along with some technical specifications.[9] Most notably, the vehicles overall weight was reported to be around 35 tonnes, and the main armament would be provided by a Belgian-made turret developed by CMI Defence featuring a 105mm rifled barrel, capable of firing a wide range of projectiles.

On 9 May 2017 at the IDEF 2017 expo, the first prototype of the tank was revealed. The tank can be fitted with either a Cockerill XC-8 105mm concept turret or Cockerill 3105 modular turret. Additionally, the tank utilizes modular armor, allowing for quick replacement upon damage.[10]

On 5 September 2018, the general manager of FNSS told Turkey's Anadolu Agency that the tank had passed months of required qualification tests for the Indonesian Army, and was ready for mass production. He stated that the first batch of 20 to 25 tanks could be ordered as early as late 2018, and that the full number of tanks to be produced would likely fall between 200 and 400.[11]

On 7 February 2020, it was announced that mass production of the MMWT has started.[12]

Design

Armament

The MMWT is equipped with a Cockerill CT-CV 105HP (High Pressure) 105mm Smoothbore gun manufactured by CMI (Cockerill Maintenance & Ingenierie SA Defense), with the barrel mounting a bore evacuator and thermal jacket. The turret is equipped with an autoloader and can be rotated 360 degrees both electronically and mechanically, with a maximum elevation/depression of 42 up to -6 degrees, and it's equipped with Gyro Stabilizer and Firing Control System. It's also equipped with an IFF system, Hunter Killer System for target selection, and Auto Target Locking System to assist the Gunner.

The Gun has been test fired with TPCSDS-T, HEP-T, HE4 TP2 shells, and can also fire NATO standard 105mm Shells such as:

  • M1060CV | Velocity 1620 m/s with RHA Penetration 560mm from 2000m at 60 degrees
  • M1061 HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank) | Velocity 1173 m/s RHA Penetration >400mm from 1500m at 60 degrees
  • M393 A3 HESH (High Explosive Squash Head) | Velocity 732 m/s
  • M416 Smoke | Velocity 731 m/s
  • M1204 Canister | Velocity 1173 m/s

Armor

The hull armor of MMWT is using modular armor. 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.

Mobility

Dynamic and mobility test taken in 7–16 August 2018 to prove the specification design. The tank uses a Caterpillar C13 diesel engine generating 711 HP, coupled with Allison/Caterpillar X300 transmission. During the test the tank is able to reach 78 km/h in road speed. The prototype is able to cross 2 m trench and 0.9 m vertical obstacle.

Weapon Systems

The MMWT's survivability has been further strengthened. A modular PULAT Active Protection System joint-developed by ASELSAN and TÜBİTAK SAGE can be integrated. This ensures the tank's defensive capabilities against projectiles at all-angles.[13]

Specifications[14][3]

General

  • Crew: 3
  • Engine: Diesel
  • Transmission: Fully automatic

Armament

  • Barrel caliber: 105mm, smoothbore
  • Ammunition: Compatible 105mm NATO Standard Ammunition
  • Secondary guns: 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns

Protection

  • Ballistic Protection: Stanag 4569 + Modular Design
  • Mine Protection: Stanag 4569 (Tested)
  • Active Protection System: ASELSAN Pulat (Optional)

Mobility

  • Top speed: 78 km/h
  • Engine power: 711 hp
  • Total weight: 32 tonnes
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 22.2 hp/tonne
  • Cruising range: 450 km
  • Gradient: 60%
  • Side slope: 30%
  • Obstacle climbing: 0.9 m
  • Trench crossing: 2 m

Operators

Future operators

  •  Indonesia: 18 units are starting to be produced. First unit will be delivered in 2020 and rest will be delivered within 2021.[15][16][17]

Potential operators

  •  Bangladesh: Expressed interest in September 2018.[18][19]
  •  Brunei: Expressed interest in November 2018.[19]
  •  Philippines: Expressed interest in September 2018.[18][19]
  •  Ghana: Expressed interest in November 2019.[20]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kable Intelligence Limited (2018). "Kaplan MT Modern Medium-Weight Tank". www.army-technology.com. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/kaplan-mt-modern-medium-weight-tank/. 
  2. "Technical Specifications - FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş.". http://www.fnss.com.tr/en/product/kaplan-mt/technical-specifications. Retrieved 29 April 2018. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 antaranews.com. "Medium Tank Buatan Anak Negeri - ANTARA News" (in id-ID). Antara News. https://www.antaranews.com/infografis/743964/743964. 
  4. "KAPLAN MT - FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş.". http://www.fnss.com.tr/en/product/kaplan-mt. Retrieved 29 April 2018. 
  5. "John Cockerill Defense’s C3105 turret". https://www.janes.com/article/95593/boxer-to-be-demonstrated-with-john-cockerill-defense-s-c3105-turret. 
  6. Indomiliter.com Official Channel (2018-08-10), Hadapi Medan Berat, Medium Tank Pindad Jalani Uji Dinamis, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zigDAm7Z1KM, retrieved 2018-09-02 
  7. Gumilang, Prima (2 November 2016). "Industri Pertahanan Akan Teken Kerja Sama di Indo Defence" (in Indonesian). http://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20161101144434-20-169386/industri-pertahanan-akan-teken-kerja-sama-di-indo-defence/. Retrieved 2 November 2016. 
  8. "Turkey, Indonesia agree to develop medium-weight tank". Ankara. 7 May 2016. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-indonesia-agree-to-develop-medium-weight-tank-----.aspx?pageID=238&nid=82091. Retrieved 2 November 2016. 
  9. "Light weight, low profile [INDODEF16-D1"]. 1 November 2016. http://www.janes.com/article/65134/. Retrieved 2 November 2016. 
  10. "FNSS Resmi Perlihatkan Kaplan MT, Prototipe Medium Tank Garapan Bersama PT Pindad – Indomiliter.com" (in en-US). http://www.indomiliter.com/fnss-resmi-perlihatkan-kaplan-mt-prototipe-medium-tank-garapan-bersama-pt-pindad/. 
  11. Dominguez, Gabriel (6 September 2018). "Kaplan MT ready for mass production, says report". London. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180906233825/https://www.janes.com/article/82823/kaplan-mt-ready-for-mass-production-says-report. Retrieved 7 September 2018. 
  12. https://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2020_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/tukish-indonesian_kaplan-harimau_medium_tank_now_in_mass_production.html
  13. "FNSS Displays PULAT APS for the Kaplan Tank". 2 May 2019. https://armyrecognition.com/idef_2019_news_online_show_daily_defense_exhibition_turkey/idef_2019_fnss_displays_for_the_first_time_kaplan_medium_tank_fitted_with_pulat_aps.html. 
  14. "Kaplan MT, Medium Tank FNSS-Pindad (foto) Part 2" (in en-US). LANCER CELL. 2017-05-10. https://lancercell.com/2017/05/10/kaplan-mt-medium-tank-fnss-pindad-foto-part-2/. 
  15. https://bisnis.tempo.co/read/1195158/kemenhan-pesan-tank-dan-panser-cobra-ke-pt-pindad
  16. "Archived copy". http://www.pikiran-rakyat.com/nasional/2018/08/28/kemenhan-berencana-beli-44-unit-tank-baru-pt-pindad-429318. 
  17. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/turk-kaplaninin-taliplileri-artiyor/1726200
  18. 18.0 18.1 Dominguez, Gabriel (10 September 2018). "Philippines, Bangladesh interested in Kaplan MT". London. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180910210912/https://www.janes.com/article/82871/philippines-bangladesh-interested-in-kaplan-mt. Retrieved 10 September 2018. 
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Grevatt, Jon (8 November 2018). "Indo Defence 2018: PT Pindad pursues medium tank exports". Jakarta. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181108183314/https://www.janes.com/article/84430/indo-defence-2018-pt-pindad-pursues-medium-tank-exports. Retrieved 10 November 2018. 
  20. "Ghanaian military interested in equipment from Indonesia’s PT Pindad". 2 December 2019. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/ghanaian-military-interested-in-equipment-from-indonesias-pt-pindad/.