Posted on 05/11/2017 7:31:31 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
KAPLAN MT Modern Medium Weight Tank developed by FNSS and Indonesian company PT Pindad is showcased during the 13th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF'17) in Istanbul, Turkey on May 09, 2017. (AA Photo)
Turkey's FNSS and Indonesia's PT Pindad unveiled the jointly developed medium weight tank, KAPLAN MT, during the 13th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul Wednesday.
FNSS CEO Nail Kurt said at a news conference the KAPLAN MT program represents not only a new product but also the implementation of a new approach for cooperation in the multinational defense industry.
Kurt said that in line with FNSS' new vision of being the globe's trusted and respected defense partner, the tank program was launched three years ago with PT Pindad, accompanied by the two countries' defense ministries.
"This medium weight tank is a very effective solution to today's asymmetric warfare conditions exposed which many armies are exposed to," he said, adding that the "conditions require easy and fast deployment, high mobility, low visibility, high firepower, and yet low cost".
Highlighting the company's previous successes in foreign countries, Kurt said, such as in the UAE, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, the rest of the industry will also follow FNSS in Indonesia and it will support a boost in trade relations between the two friendly countries.
Armoured vehicles manufacturer FNSS is a joint venture in which Turkish Nurol Holding and British BAE Systems have 51 and 49 percent shareholding, respectively.
The KAPLAN MT tank is set to make a powerful contribution thanks to its fire capacity and large ammunition options as well as its superior ability to move.
A CMI Cockerill 3105 tower -- equipped to fire high-pressured 105mm shells -- provides the tank's firepower.
Diesel-engine powered, the tank has a full automatic transmission and is able to carry three crew members -- a driver, shooter and commander.
Turkey's Undersecretary for Defense Industries Ismail Demir said the medium weight tank development project is also a government-to-government program part of the defense cooperation agreement between two brother countries.
"FNSS from Turkey and PT Pindad from Indonesia were assigned to execute the program which started with our signatures during the previous IDEF in 2015," Demir said.
He pointed out that the prototype would be running during the Army Day military parade in Indonesia on Oct. 5.
"After the Indonesia army qualifies the vehicle, it will be ready for serial production. This prototype will serve the needs of Indonesian Army and Turkish Army as well," he said.
Stressing the export opportunities, Demir noted there would be great potential for sale to other countries.
"I congratulate both companies in this program and would like to emphasize that we are ready for support serial production of this program with maximizing cooperation between countries," he added.
Dr. Sutrimo Sumarlan, Director General of Defence Potential for Indonesia, said that the three-year tank project was not only a success for Turkish and Indian companies but also for both friendly countries.
"Indonesia and Turkey believe that this medium weight tank would not be produced just for both countries. We can sell it to other countries, especially those from the Middle East and Central Asia," he added.
Comes equipped with a self-destruct button that will cause it to accelerate towards the enemy, broadcast “Allahu Akbar” through a speaker, and then blow up.
Must have an automatic loader in the turret. I hope it does a better job than the ones that were installed in Russian tanks. According to one author, the Russian autoloader had a tendency to reach over, grab the gunner's leg, and attempt to feed him into the breech. He also added the comment that that was the way that the Red Army Chorus got most of its high tenors ...
Did he mention that only 1 in 10 of these specialized conscripts, were able to sing (or talk or walk...or breath) after being selected by the autoloader?
This muslim excuse for a tank qualifies as such only when the other guy does not have a tank. The hull is way tall at 5 feet or so looking at the people standing near it. The blunt bow is reminiscient of the U.S. 114 APC which was bad abough high centering and surely looks inviting for armor piercing rounds. The top of the turret must be close to 10 feet, also undesireable.
Treads look a little skinny, too.
That huge gap under the front of the turret just invites an anti-tank round.
This thing might just get a nickname of ‘pop-top’ as a good hit inside this gap would probably get the turret some air time before it sticks barrel first in the dirt’ Should look like the turret flying hit on a WW2 tank in the Aces High game.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.