Modern Medium Weight Tank

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).

MMWT
Harimau in celebration of the 72nd Anniversary of Indonesian National Armed Forces.
Type	Armoured fighting vehicle, Medium Tank/Light Tank
Place of origin	Turkey  Indonesia
Production history
Designer	FNSS PT PINDAD
Designed	2015
Produced	2017-present
No. built	2 (Prototype)+ 1 test hull
Specifications
Mass	32-35 tonnes
Length	6.952 m (22.8 ft) hull, 9.105 m (29.9 ft) including the gun
Width	3.360 m (11 ft)
Height	2.456 m (8.06 ft) turret top
Crew	3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Armor	STANAG 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
Engine	Caterpillar C13 Diesel Engine 711 hp
Power/weight	22.2 hp/t
Transmission	Allison/Caterpillar X300 full automatic[3]
Suspension	Torsion Bar Suspension
Maximum speed	70 km/h (governed), 78 km/h (tested road speed)[6]

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

• CV90105
• K21-105
• M8 Armored Gun System
• TAM
• Type 15 tank
• WPB Anders

References

1. Kable Intelligence Limited (2018). "Kaplan MT Modern Medium-Weight Tank". www.army-technology.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
2. "Technical Specifications - FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş." FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
3. antaranews.com. "Medium Tank Buatan Anak Negeri - ANTARA News". Antara News (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
4. "KAPLAN MT - FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş." FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
5. "John Cockerill Defense's C3105 turret".
6. Indomiliter.com Official Channel (2018-08-10), Hadapi Medan Berat, Medium Tank Pindad Jalani Uji Dinamis, retrieved 2018-09-02
7. Gumilang, Prima (2 November 2016). "Industri Pertahanan Akan Teken Kerja Sama di Indo Defence". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
8. "Turkey, Indonesia agree to develop medium-weight tank". Ankara. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
9. "Light weight, low profile [INDODEF16-D1]". IHS Jane's 360. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
10. "FNSS Resmi Perlihatkan Kaplan MT, Prototipe Medium Tank Garapan Bersama PT Pindad – Indomiliter.com". www.indomiliter.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
11. Dominguez, Gabriel (6 September 2018). "Kaplan MT ready for mass production, says report". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. 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". IDEF 2019: FNSS displays for the first time Kaplan medium tank fitted with PULAT APS. 2 May 2019. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019.
14. "Kaplan MT, Medium Tank FNSS-Pindad (foto) Part 2". LANCER CELL. 2017-05-10. Archived from the original on 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
15. https://bisnis.tempo.co/read/1195158/kemenhan-pesan-tank-dan-panser-cobra-ke-pt-pindad
16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-07-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
17. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/turk-kaplaninin-taliplileri-artiyor/1726200
18. Dominguez, Gabriel (10 September 2018). "Philippines, Bangladesh interested in Kaplan MT". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
19. Grevatt, Jon (8 November 2018). "Indo Defence 2018: PT Pindad pursues medium tank exports". IHS Jane's 360. Jakarta. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
20. "Ghanaian military interested in equipment from Indonesia's PT Pindad". defenceWeb. 2 December 2019.