According to the X account @SavunmaSanayiST, the medium tank Kaplan MT, also known as Harimau, is on its way for trials in Brazil. Since its prototype was unveiled at the IDEF 2017 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey, the Kaplan MT, designed by FNSS and PT Pindad, has only secured an order for 18 units, exclusively from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense for the army's cavalry units.
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The Turkish medium tank Kaplan MT is on its way for trials in Brazil. (Picture source: FNSS)
Tweets from @SavunmaSanayiST, citing Turkish customs information, indicate that the shipped Kaplan MT is armed with a 105 mm Cockerill 3105 cannon from the Belgian company John Cockerill Defense. The tank is equipped with full digital weapon stabilization and a computerized fire control system, as well as an auto-reload ammunition system, reducing the crew to just three members: a driver, commander, and gunner.
The Kaplan MT, also known as Harimau, is a tank jointly designed by Turkey and Indonesia, reflecting a collaborative effort between FNSS and PT Pindad that began in 2015. With production starting in 2017, this armored vehicle has been built in ten units so far. Designed to be classified as a light or medium tank, the Kaplan MT has a mass ranging from 30 to 35 tons, offering a combination of mobility and protection suitable for various battlefield roles.
The tank has a total length of 9.105 meters including the gun, and a width of 3.360 meters. The height of the tank, up to the top of the turret, is 2.456 meters, providing a relatively low profile for a vehicle of this category. Its crew consists of three members: a commander, a gunner, and a driver.
In terms of protection, the Kaplan MT is equipped with a ballistic hull meeting STANAG 4569 level 4 standard, with the possibility of adding level 5 modular armor, thus offering significant resistance against projectiles and explosions. The design also includes a V-shaped underbelly, enhancing the crew's protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.
The main armament of the Kaplan MT consists of a 105 mm high-pressure rifled Cockerill cannon, complemented by a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The tank is powered by a Caterpillar C13 inline-6 diesel engine, producing 711 horsepower, which gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 22.2 horsepower per ton. This engine power, combined with an Allison/Caterpillar X300 full automatic transmission and torsion bar suspension, allows the Kaplan MT to reach a governed maximum speed of 70 km/h, with a tested road speed of up to 78 km/h.
The Kaplan MT is expected to arrive in Brazil by the end of March or mid-April. In addition to military evaluation, it is also planned to participate in the Cavalry Festival, a national and traditional event in Tramandaí in May 2024. After the festival, the Kaplan MT will be sent to the armored training center in Santa Maria for a combat capability demonstration. The Brazilian Army currently operates a variety of armored vehicles, including 40 Leopard 1A1BE, 220 Leopard 1A5BR, and 30 M60A3 main battle tanks.
The collaboration between FNSS and PT Pindad began in June 2010, evolving into a joint venture between the two countries for the production of a Medium Class Tank. This project officially started in November 2015, focusing on the design and development phases. However, the tank has not yet succeeded in penetrating international markets, failing in bids to Bangladesh and the Philippines.
