FNSS delivered the KAPLAN MT Medium Class Tanks, which it developed and completed in Indonesia with technology transfer within the scope of the Long-Term Cooperation Agreement for the Serial Production of the KAPLAN MT (HARIMAU) Medium Weight Class Tank for the Indonesian Army together with PT Pindad, to the user in 2024. The success achieved in this project, in which Türkiye's first tank class export was carried out, played an important role in the Indonesian Ministry of Defense's preference for FNSS and PT Pindad in the Tracked Personnel Carrier program.
In this context, within the scope of the contract signed between PT Pindad and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense to meet the Indonesian army's need for a tracked personnel carrier vehicle in the 30-ton class, the "KAPLAN Armored Personnel Carrier (KAPLAN APC) Development and Production Contract" was signed between PT Pindad and FNSS at the SAHA Expo Fair held in October 2024. The first concept design model of the vehicle was also exhibited at the FNSS stand at the same fair.
KAPLAN APC is being exhibited at the PT Pindad stand at the Indo Defence Expo and Forum 11 held in Jakarta, Indonesia (June 14-2025). The first vehicle will be manufactured in FNSS facilities in Türkiye and the second vehicle in Indonesia by PT Pindad in the project, where manufacturing activities are expected to begin in 2025. The vehicles, planned to be delivered by the end of 2026, will be designed in line with end-user needs and tested by FNSS and PT Pindad in Türkiye and Indonesia.
The design architecture of the KAPLAN APC provides superior survivability on the battlefield with advanced ballistic protection, best-in-class mine protection systems and firepower. The Kaplan APC is a unique example of FNSS's experience and superiority in tracked vehicle design and benefits from all improvements made during the development of the Kaplan MT.
The vehicle has the capacity to carry a total of 13 personnel, including the gunner, driver and commander. The vehicle, which has the ability to move at high speed on asphalt/stabilized roads or rough terrain conditions, is resistant to all types of climatic conditions. The advanced suspension system is designed to reduce vehicle vibration and increase road holding. The vehicle has an open architecture vehicle electronics infrastructure that allows easy integration of different mission equipment such as the Battlefield Management System and 360-degree situational awareness cameras that provide both day and night vision for the crew.
It can overcome 30 percent side slopes, 60 percent steep slopes, 2,2-meter ditches and 0,90-meter vertical obstacles. Able to reach speeds of over 70 km/h and with an impressive operational range of over 450 km, the vehicle enables long-distance deployments without the need for refueling.
KAPLAN APC is equipped with modular survivability systems to provide an effective solution against the changing threats of the battlefield. It has protection packages against ballistic, mine and improvised explosive threats. KAPLAN APC also offers an active protection system option against anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
The vehicle has an automatic fire suppression system, air conditioning system and CBRN protection measures by creating a closed environment inside the vehicle. These features prevent toxic pollutants and ensure the crew's survival and combat effectiveness even when the external environment is dangerous and deadly.
KAPLAN APC is a modular vehicle designed with possible integration options for manned or unmanned turret systems, equipped with light and medium calibers as well as 120 mm mortar and ATGM turrets and weapon systems.
This modular design allows the KAPLAN APC to be configured to perform a variety of missions, including mechanized infantry, reconnaissance, command and control, force protection, medical evacuation, rescue, combat engineering and direct or indirect fire support.
All of these versions are built on the new generation armored combat vehicle platform, with a power-to-weight ratio of at least 22 hp/ton (depending on configuration), equipped with an automatic transmission and capable of interoperating with modern main battle tanks.
The use of largely the same parts and subsystems as the Kaplan MT and other variants of the Kaplan tracked vehicle family is a significant advantage for the Kaplan APC. In addition, the vehicle has common subsystems with the FNSS Amphibious Assault Vehicle (MAV) in service with the Turkish Naval Forces Marine Infantry Brigade.
The Kaplan APC offers a number of advantages in terms of reliability, logistics and serviceability by using combat-proven components from the vehicle family. This capability also reduces logistics burden, increases mean time between failures (MTBF) and improves mission readiness for users worldwide.
