FNSS unveils Kaplan APC

FNSS has unveiled the first Kaplan APC (armoured personnel carrier) during the IndoDefence exhibition, which is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia from the 11th to the 14th June, 2025. The vehicle has been developed on the back of the successful Kaplan medium tank, which FNSS developed and delivered with PT Pindad to meet Indonesian requirements. 

The Kaplan is called Harimau in Indonesia and carries a 105 mm gun to provide a mobile but significant form of direct fire support for infantry operations. Delivery of those vehicles was completed in 2024 and the agreement launching development of the Kaplan APC signed in October 2024 at the Saha expo. That contract was between FNSS and PT Pindad under the main contract concluded between PT Pindad and

the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. It covered the design and development of a 30 tonne class APC – which is now known as the Kaplan APC. 

“Manufacturing activities are scheduled to begin in 2025, with the first vehicle to be produced at FNSS facilities in Türkiye and the second by PT Pindad in Indonesia. Deliveries are planned for the end of 2026,” the FNSS press release from the 12th June states. Qualification tests are to be conducted by FNSS and PT Pindad, in both Indonesia and Türkiye. 

FNSS has had a number of successes recently including orders for its wheeled vehicles from the Turkish Land Forces, and has also made steps to establish business in Latin America. The company has also recently been acquired by Nurol Makina Systems, which has led to synergies between the two companies in their approach to exports and domestic sales.

Tech profile: Kaplan APC

Building upon an existing design can significantly reduce the development timeframe and costs of an armoured fighting vehicle. Credit: FNSS

The Kaplan APC is a tracked Armoured Personnel Carrier designed for high battlefield survivability, capable of carrying 13 soldiers including the gunner, driver, and commander. Its protection features include advanced ballistic and best-in-class mine protection systems, the press release explains, along with measures against improvised explosive threats. An optional active protection system is available to counter anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. For crew safety, the vehicle integrates an automatic fire suppression system, an A/C unit, and CBRN defense, creating a sealed environment to maintain combat efficiency in hazardous conditions. From a mobility standpoint, the KAPLAN APC can achieve high speeds on roads and cross-country, operating effectively in all climates, supported by an advanced suspension system that minimizes vibration and enhances road holding. It boasts a power-to-weight ratio of at least 22 hp/ton (depending on configuration), features automatic transmission, and is designed to operate alongside modern main battle tanks.

This vehicle is highly modular, featuring an open-architecture electronics infrastructure that allows for easy integration of various mission equipment, such as Battlefield Management Systems and 360-degree day/night situational awareness cameras. Its adaptable design supports the integration of both manned and unmanned turret systems, capable of mounting light and medium calibres, 120mm mortars, and ATGM turrets. This modularity also enables the Kaplan APC to be “role-kitted” for a full spectrum of missions, including mechanised infantry, reconnaissance, command & control, force protection, medical evacuation, recovery, combat engineering, and fire support. A significant advantage of the Kaplan APC is its high commonality of parts and sub-systems with the Kaplan MT and other vehicles within the Kaplan tracked family, as well as with the FNSS Marine Assault Vehicle. This commonality enhances reliability, simplifies logistics, improves mean time between failures, and boosts mission readiness for users globally.

Calibre comment

Building upon an existing design can significantly reduce the development timeframe and costs of an armoured fighting vehicle. However, the ultimate success is dependent upon the user making as few modifications to the design as possible. Successful examples include the many procurements of CV90s throughout Europe in the past few years, while the UK’s procurement of Ajax reconnaissance vehicles could be considered a less than optimal example. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 12th June, 2025.