A concept image of the Kaplan armoured personnel carrier. (FNSS)
Türkiye's FNSS and Indonesia's PT Pindad have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development and production of a tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC) for the Indonesian Army.
FNSS said on 22 October that the agreement centres on the Kaplan APC, a model of which the Turkish company said it would display for the first time at the Saha Defence and Aerospace Exhibition 2024 in Istanbul during 22–26 October.
The Kaplan APC project aims to leverage FNSS and PT Pindad's existing programme to develop the Kaplan medium tank for the Indonesian Army, which refers to the tank as Harimau. The Harimau programme was initiated in 2014, culminating with the tanks being built by PT Pindad following technology transfers from FNSS.
FNSS indicated that the Kaplan project is supported through an arrangement with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD). However, no contract details were disclosed by the company.
Technology transfer
“The implementation of the technology transfer model played a significant role in the Indonesian Ministry of Defence's preference for FNSS and PT Pindad in the tracked APC programme,” said FNSS. It added that the Kaplan APC programme “marks a continuation of the Kaplan (Harimau) programme”.
Manufacturing of the 30 tonne-class Kaplan APC is expected to start in 2025, FNSS said. The first APC will be produced at FNSS facilities in Türkiye, and the second by PT Pindad following technology transfers to the Indonesian company.
“The vehicles, which are planned to be delivered by the end of 2026, will be designed according to end-user requirements, and qualification tests will be carried out by FNSS and PT Pindad in Türkiye and Indonesia,” said FNSS.
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