On October 2, 2024, the Indonesian Armed Forces received more than 500 new military vehicles during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta. Among the delivered equipment was a batch of eight Harimau medium tanks, locally produced by PT Pindad. This batch completes an initial order of 18 tanks, with 10 having been handed over in March 2024. These deliveries represent a new step in enhancing the Indonesian Army’s land capabilities.
The Harimau medium tank is the result of a collaboration between Indonesia and Turkey. In May 2015, both governments agreed to co-develop the Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT) to meet the Indonesian Army’s needs. The development phase, set to last 37 months with a budget of $30 million, aimed to create a tank suited to the diverse terrains of Southeast Asia, with production shared between the two countries. The first prototype was unveiled at the 2016 Indo Defence expo in Indonesia, and another was revealed at IDEF 2017 in Turkey, under the names Kaplan MT (Turkey) and Harimau (Indonesia), both meaning “tiger.”
The Harimau is equipped with a 105 mm turret manufactured by Belgian company Cockerill, capable of firing multiple types of munitions, making it suitable for various missions, from infantry support to urban combat. The tank integrates electronic control systems, a Battlefield Management System (BMS), and a Laser Warning System (LWS), enhancing crew situational awareness. It has a maximum speed of 70 km/h and an operational range of 450 km, designed for mobility with a power-to-weight ratio of at least 20 horsepower per ton. Additionally, it features a power management system that ensures optimal performance during extended watch operations.