"The Indonesian Kaplan MT Medium Tank " Topic

"First public appearance for the Kaplan MT Medium Tank during a military parade in Indonesia for the National Armed Forces Day. Turkey and Indonesia initiated the project to develop Medium tank in 2014. The conceptual design of the Kaplan MT has been completed and reveals during Indo Defense 2016, International Tri-Service Defence Expo & Forum which was held in Indonesia from the 2 to 5 November 2016…."

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Amicalement
Armand

Hrmmm… autoloading 105mm gun, 3 man crew. Not much ammo onboard, though, 12-16 rounds.

And it barely counts as armored, since it can only stop 14.5mm fire at base levels and 25mm APDS when uparmored.

Pretty low protection for 32-35 tonnes!

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

That looks more like a Sheridan than a proper tank.

And it doesn't seem to have many machine guns for close in defence?! You would've thought that for the sort of close range urban or jungle warfare that it could potentially find itself in when operating in Indonesia/SE Asia that some anti-infantry weapons for protection against shoulder launched RPG's might be in order!

Having lived in Indonesia, The Philippines, etc I can promise you the whole region is not covered in flat paddy fields with long fields of fire.

I suppose you could argue its tactical deployment might be as more of a long range, stand-off, self propelled artillery support vehicle with some armour BUT it doesn't appear to carry enough main gun ammo to sustain any action in that role for more than a few minutes?!

It's a marquee acquisition and probably not much more. Looks good on parades and may overawe anyone who knows little.

Similar concept to the Aussie M113 FSV from years ago.

The first thing was : " why would Indonesia need a MBT and even more to build one?
Then ok it might suit local needs more than anything else.
Might be used as support a bit like AMX 10Rc mod has bern for most of its years, far away from its intended design.

I would think that a more effective loadout for Indonesia would be a 30mm cannon, a 40mm Mk.19 AGL, and a couple TOW-type AT missiles for that rare target that the 30mm couldn't kill. The Mk.19 would be of far greater use in the LIC/counterinsurgency roles that this thing would likely serve in than any 105mm tank gun. Throw in a couple 7.62mm LMGs and you have a more effective medium tank than it's currently configured for.

The 105mm is good for popping bunkers and making mouseholes in concrete buildings.

I'd fit the thing with a .50cal over the main gun as a super-coax, and a Mk19 on the gunner's hatch (with a .50cal on the commander's hatch).

Might do a dual-RWS with a Mk19 and a 7.62mm MG instead.

'd fit the thing with a .50cal over the main gun as a super-coax, and a Mk19 on the gunner's hatch (with a .50cal on the commander's hatch).

And just who's going to crew all that extra firepower? It only has a 3 man crew, for pete's sake….