Bandung-PT Pindad is now preparing to produce a medium tank with the name while Kaplan MT. Currently two units of testing have been made and plan to be certified by mid-2018.
Pindad Technology and Development Director Ade Bagja said the process of making the first medium tank for testing was done in Turkey in cooperation with FNSS and the second in Indonesia. The certification process being undertaken is, among other things, related to explosive testing or anti-mine testing.
"Now the second prototype has been so and just waiting for certification out.If you have come out can only be produced for sale," he said when talking with media crew on Monday (16/4/2018) night.
Ade added, Pindad can not sell the medium tank before getting certified. Nevertheless according to him, there are already interested buyers.
"If the country I can not mention, but yesterday the test is shown, then after that there is a view, there are non ASEAN, there is ASEAN," he said.
Pindad hopes to start producing the medium tank in early 2018 after certification comes out. Or at the latest, early 2020.
Previously, at the end of 2017 then Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has reviewed the readiness of production of the first tank medium of the country. This type of tank is rated as the most appropriate operated in Indonesia because the existing bridge on average is not able to withstand very heavy weight. Medium tank itself has a weight in the range of 35 tons.
About the technology, the medium of this tank is equipped with self-awareness tool so that it can monitor the threat against itself and equipped with protection against the threat of level 5 NATO. In the arms turret section has an autoloader mechanism, with 12 bullets and 30 bullets in the reserve pool.
In addition, the medium tank has a capacity for 3 people, the power of 20 horsepower per ton, with a speed of 70 km per hour. There is also a mine-resistant capability designed on demand from the buyer. Usually anti-mines are only applied to armored personal carrier (APC).