FNSS hands over first Harimau medium tanks to Indonesian Army

FNSS has presented initial production Kaplan MT medium tanks to the Indonesian Army at a ceremony held in Turkey. A prototype of the platform, which is known in Indonesia as Harimau, is pictured here undergoing trials. (FNSS)

Turkey's FNSS has handed over the initial Kaplan MT Modern Medium Weight Tanks (MMWTs) to the Indonesian Army.

The company said in a press release on 15 March that it has now built the first batch of MMWTs in “serial production configuration”. It said these vehicles were delivered to representatives of the Indonesian Army at a ceremony held at its facilities in Turkey.

FNSS added, “All tank platforms will be shipped to Indonesia for final turret assembly and delivered to the Indonesian Army after the final acceptance stage.”

FNSS did not say how many tanks in the initial batch were built or handed over to the Indonesian Army, which refers to the Kaplan MT as Harimau (White Tiger). However, FNSS signed a contract with Indonesian company PT Pindad in late 2019 to support the joint production of an initial 18 Kaplan MT tanks. Under this contract, additional tanks for the Indonesian Army will be produced by PT Pindad at its facilities in Bandung. FNSS said it provided PT Pindad with technical support and supply parts for the tank in 2021.

Janes reported in 2018 that the Harimau medium tank had passed the Indonesian Army's qualification tests and was declared ready for mass production. Janes also reported that PT Pindad conducted mobility tests on the Harimau in 2021 and firing tests during late February 2022.

PT Pindad officials have previously told Janes