The Indonesian Army

[Ananda]

What's the story behind that and PT SSE's P8 light tank program?

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One Indonesian Enthusiasts X shown this couple days ago. This guy either present or got info from insider. Seems there's delegation from Parliament coming to PT. SSE facility where the company shown their products. The star of their attraction is this P8, which seems they sloted as recon armoured track vehicle.

It is only build with Stagnag 2 protection standard, which in my opinion shown this is build for recon on jungle but also close quarters environment. The weight being told below 10 ton possible around 7-8.

Thus as concept it is can be said as enlarge German Wiesel AWC. TNI-AD in 90's shown interest to Wiesel, but then seems choose to keep their wheeled recon armoured vehicles. So as this private company already build this prototype, indicating there's enough interest from MinDef and TNI-AD brass to relook this concept.

 

[koxinga]

IMO, it is a perfect platform for an unmanned combat vehicle, rather than a manned option.

As for use as a armoured recon platform, it seems to be an odd choice. Small 2 man operated vehicle, which means limited range, and being tracked, even if it uses rubber tracks, higher maintenance compared to wheeled solution. (If it is three man, driver, gunner, commander, it is even more tight squeeze)

Economically, something like a P2 or a Komando makes more sense. Even if want to go more high end, the trend seems to be 6x6 like French EBRC Jaguar type solutions.

 

[Ananda]

It could be prepared for unmanned vehicle, but I suspect more on similar concept that German used with Wiesel AWC. From what I can gather from some enthusiasts forums, this is potentially two crew operations with driver and gunner that also operates RWS. The RWS is being design as modular platform, which being able to be switch from Gun Platform to Anti Armoured Missiles Platform.

Note: There are talks that the crew is three with commander but can be operate by two crew. Still nothing official yet. Rumours also speculate the final configuration will depends on results from TNI assessment test.

It is supposedly air transportable thus able to deploy fast. However it is also bigger then Wiesel that's being designed by Rheimettal for that airborne purpose. So, will see how this prototype assessment (which from what I heard the test will be conducted soon) results. This is not first time Indonesian MIC build prototype that goes nowhere. However seem so far this company (PT. SSE), has more prototypes being adopted then other local private MIC.

Add:

DPR RI on Instagram: "Komisi I DPR RI melakukan kunjungan kerja spesifik ke PT. Sentra Surya Ekajaya (SSE), Tangerang pada Kamis (21/11/2024). Kunjungan ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi lebih dalam pengembangan dan inovasi kendaraan taktis nasional serta peningkatan kemandirian alutsista melalui optimalisasi produksi. Adapun PT. SSE juga meminta sejumlah dukungan dari Komisi I DPR RI agar industri pertahanan swasta mendapatkan perhatian lebih serius dari pemerintah untuk memastikan keberlanjutan produksi dan pengembangan alutsista nasional. Menanggapi aspirasi tersebut, Wakil Ketua Komisi I DPR RI Dave Akbarsyah Fikarno Laksono menekankan Pemerintah untuk turut memberikan dukungan lebih, baik dalam hal regulasi, kebijakan, maupun promosi untuk memastikan industri pertahanan dalam negeri dapat berkembang dengan baik. “Nah ini tentu harus didukung, harus disokong, baik secara aturannya, secara regulasinya, dan kebijakan-kebijakan Pemerintah untuk memastikan bahwa Pemerintah betul-betul berpihak kepada bangsa Indonesia secara keseluruhan bukan hanya satu sektor atau satu sisi,” tuturnya. #KunkerDPR"

1,517 likes, 28 comments - dpr_ri on November 22, 2024: "Komisi I DPR RI melakukan kunjungan kerja spesifik ke PT. Sentra Surya Ekajaya (SSE), Tangerang pada Kamis (21/11/2024). Kunjungan ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi lebih dalam pengembangan dan inovasi kendaraan taktis nasional serta...

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Video from Indonesia Parliement Instagram on their visit to PT. SSE

 

[kato]

It is supposedly air transportable thus able to deploy fast. However it is also bigger then Wiesel that's being designed by Rheimettal for that airborne purpose.

If comparing to German vehicles it looks closer to the tracked vehicles Germany used as general reconnaissance vehicles in the 50s to 70s - the SPz kurz Typ 11-2 based on an enlarged French Hotchkiss TT6. The 11-2 was a 8.2-ton Wiesel-sized tracked vehicle with a two-man crew, a small compartment in the back for a 4-man recce troop and a 20mm gun in turret. They were replaced in the 70s and 80s by Luchs and Fuchs wheeled vehicles. Originally they were used alongside M41D Walker Bulldog light tanks in mixed heavy recce companies.

To me, visually the PT SSE P8 looks way too bulky for what's inside btw. Since the engine is all the way in the back the room underneath the RWS - behind the crew compartment - seems to be entirely unused.