DND mulls Acquisition of Medium Tanks

[Ayoshi]

PNA.gov.ph

This was emphasized by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked by the PNA Wednesday on whether the ongoing conflict in densely-packed Marawi City, where Maute Group terrorists converted concrete houses and buildings into fortified fighting positions, necessitates the acquisition of a main battle tank fleet.

"Not really. We do not expect a lot Marawi-type conflict in the future. Therefore a couple of medium tanks would do: for contingency in urban warfare and for training," he added.

Lorenzana also defines main battle tanks as vehicles weighing 40 tons or more and carrying a large-caliber gun while medium tanks are those weighing 20 tons or less and equipped with a medium-caliber but powerful cannon but capable of breaching reinforced concrete walls.

As this develops, Mechanized Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Emman Adriano said they are now using with great effect the newly-acquired armored vehicles in their ongoing operations in Marawi City.

[mamiyapis]

Frankly the medium tanks are a better fit for the job than the prior plan of acquiring wheeled tank destroyers. They sport better armor and can support additional armor to defend against other heavy armored vehicles. Also the turrets they carry usually use similar firepower to MBTs. There is the added bonus that some of them can become and are amphibious.

[LionFlyer]

He is referring to a fire support mission. He might have made a mistake; anything below 20 tons is light tank category, while between 20 to 40 tons are medium tanks.

[Ayoshi]

Philippines, Bangladesh interested in Kaplan MT | Janes - 10 September 2018

The Philippines and Bangladesh have shown interest in acquiring the Kaplan MT Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT), Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted Windu Paramata, the head of the MMWT project at Indonesia’s PT Pindad, as saying on 7 September.

Paramata said the two countries had expressed willingness to buy 40-50 units each. “In October, we will be demonstrating medium tanks there as a condition for the procurement of defence equipment in their countries,” he said, adding that the Indonesian defence ministry is also mulling to procure the Kaplan MT, but is still evaluating the number of units to be acquired.

FNSS-PT Pindad Kaplan MT MMWT (Tiger medium tank)
http://defenseph.net/drp/index.php?topic=1703.0

[Buster1123]

If they are looking for 'medium tank' that weighs around 20+ tons, I think Hanwha K21-105 will really fit the bill, it is amphibious capable and has a better power/weigh ratio than Kaplan MT.

Kaplan MT is also good but a bit heavier at 32-35 tons.

[LionFlyer]

None of these will fit the bill because they are not in service with any of the countries. The choice is narrowed by default to a handful.

[Buster1123]

K21-105 is still eligible technically AFAIK as the K21 IFV variant is already in service with SK Army, only on the gun turret has significant difference between the two variants.

As for Kaplan Tank, it seems Indonesia still looking for funding for their planned acquisition and it still not in production.

[LionFlyer]

It will require the liberal interpretation of the Implementation Guidelines, Rules & Regulations for the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Act (IGRRP) that it is not considered a prototype.

No major equipment and weapons systems shall be purchased if the same are not being used by the armed forces in the country of origin or used by the armed forces of at least two countries. A later modified version of such equipment or weapons system, or subsystems thereof, provided such modified version is not a prototype, shall be deemed to be the same as the original one for the purpose of this provision and shall qualify for acquisition under the provision of Section 4(b) of Revised AFP Modernization Act.

If the interpretation is such, then the field will consist of number of IFVs with standard off-the-shelf turret options (HITFACT, Cockerill) such as the ASCOD MMBT, K21-105mm, Tulpar Light Tank, CV90-150mm etc. These are all prototypes based on a proven IFV.