PT Pindad conducts final tests on Harimau medium tank

The Indonesian Army's Harimau tanks on display at Indo Defence 2022. Harimau is equipped with the CMI Defence Cockerill 3105 turret, which is fitted with a 105 mm high-pressure gun and a bustle-mounted autoloader. (Janes/Andrew Galer)

Indonesia's PT Pindad has conducted a series of final tests on the Harimau medium tank, the company announced on 23 August.

According to the company, it “successfully” completed firing test to validate the function and feasibility of the Harimau tank at the Cipatat Pusdikif shooting range on 22 August.

The firing test used 105 mm high-explosive plastic with tracer (HEP-T) munition with a target shooting range of 1.2 km, and was followed by other functional tests at the Pusdikkav Padalarang and PT Pindad test areas between 22 and 23 August, the company said.

According to PT Pindad, the functional tests included turret inspection as well as 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun testing. The company also validated the Harimau tank's suspension, tracks, propulsion system, communication equipment, and battle management system (BMS).

Brigadier Augus Erwan, director of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Cavalry Weapons Centre, said the functional tests are the final tests before handing over any platform to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and induction into the army.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles, the Harimau tank is equipped with a CMI Defence Cockerill 3105 turret, which is fitted a 105 mm high-pressure gun and a bustle-mounted autoloader.

The turret also houses a 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun. The Harimau maintains a power-to-weight ratio of 20 hp/tonne using a 700 hp diesel engine with a digitally controlled transmission.

The tank is operable in a wide range of altitudes and in temperatures from -18° C to +55° C.