Pindad Successfully Test the Harimau Medium Tank with 105 mm cannon

Cipatat - PT Pindad (Persero) carried out a firing test for the First Article of Medium Tank Harimau on February 24-25, 2022 at the Infantry Education Center (Pusdikif) of the TNI AD Cipatat, West Bandung Regency. The shooting test activity is one of a series of Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for Harimau Medium Tank. The purpose of the firing test was to determine and ensure the capability of the turret with a 105mm cannon in good condition, meeting the requirements and the latest design specifications that received various improvements.

The shooting test activity was attended by Plt. Head of Army Army Headquarters Pus Alpalhan Baranahan Kemhan, Colonel Yudha Adillah as the head of the Harimau Medium Tank Factory Acceptance Test team, Head of Sub-Directorate of Preparedness and Alutsista Pussenkav, Colonel Beni Nugroho and his staff. Also present at the shooting test were the Chief of Technology & Development officer of PT Pindad (Persero), Sigit Santosa, Vice President of Quality Assurance & K3LH, Prima Kharisma along with the ranks of VP & GM.

The Harimau Medium Tank is one of the government's 7 strategic development programs to increase the capability of the SOEs of Defense Industry in developing technological mastery towards the independence of domestic defense equipment. In collaboration with the Turkish FNSS, Pindad has gained knowledge, experience, and references to international standards regarding tank development.

Previously, the Harimau Medium Tank underwent a series of Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) which were carried out at FNSS Turkey's test facility on August 8-14, 2021. The series of tests carried out included; 60% incline obstacle test, trench crossing test, braking test, 30% incline cross test, turning radius test, fordability test and various other tests. After undergoing various series of FAT tests at the FNSS Turkey, the Harimau Medium Tank underwent further tests in Indonesia and focused on the firing test of 105 mm caliber cannon.

The firing test was carried out with a static Harimau Medium Tank position and a static target of 1250 meters measuring 4x4 meters using HEP-T (High Explosive Plastic Tracer) bullets & TPCSDS-T (Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer) bullets. The first session was a visual test of the 105 mm turret to ensure that the integration and configuration of the latest design of the Harimau Medium Tank met the requirements and specifications. Testing is done by checking the working principle, barrel, aiming tool, features, movement until the buttons are functioning properly.

The second session was a turret firing test with a 105 mm cannon. PT Pindad (Persero)'s Industrial Quality 2 Manager, Suparno, acted as the Chief Executor of the Shooting Test Activity, giving the signal to shoot the Harimau Medium Tank. The shooting test begins with shooting in a position facing the front, then proceeds to the right, left and ends at the rear. Each shooting position was tested using 1 bullet. The results of the firing test were that Harimau Medium Tank successfully shot on target with the turret remained stable and all turret functions functioned properly according to the requirements.

After carrying out the firing test, Harimau Medium Tank with the latest design and configuration carried out various propulsion tests. The series of the tests carried out were the acceleration test and deceleration test which were carried out on the 125 km Padalarang - Bandung toll road section. Then, it was continued with parallel beam test, embarkation test, embankment test and human test which was carried out at PT Pindad (Persero), Bandung.

One of the improvements to the latest design of the Harimau Medium Tank is the design of the vehicle's front nose angle and driver's perspective. The latest design on Harimau Medium Tank avoids collisions between the canon on the turret and the body at an angle of -10° depression. In addition, the latest design provides a wider visibility for the driver. The driver's field of view qualifies for maneuvering and provides better visibility.

The Factory Acceptance Test on Harimau Medium Tank product became an important momentum for PT Pindad (Persero) as evidence of its capability in mastering technology in the defense sector, especially combat vehicle products. With various improvements to the design and the success of the First Article Medium Tank Harimau test firing, it is hoped that PT Pindad (Persero) will be able to advance and strengthen national defense.