Indonesia's strategic pivot to enhance its maritime defense capabilities became evident with the development of the Antasena Tank Boat, designed to patrol its vast archipelago and coastline. After years of development, this vessel began sea trials off the coast of Banyuwangi on April 28, 2021, marking a significant milestone for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.…
Indonesia s ‘tank boat prototype undergoes sea, weapon trials
24 May 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Mark Cazalet
Indonesian state-owned company PT Pindad announced on 23 May that the recently launched ‘Antasena Tank Boat prototype has undergone a series of sea and weapon trials in waters off East Java.
PT Pindad announced on 23 May that the recently launched ‘Antasena Tank Boat prototype has undergone a series of sea and weapon trials in waters off East Java. (PT Pindad)
The company said that the 18 m-long catamaran-type vessel, which was developed by an Indonesian consortium led by PT Pindad, test-fired its 30 mm automatic cannon at the Indonesian Navy s (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut s,
It s just as its name suggests – a vehicle with a mounted tank gun that can travel across water, and it s a concept that probably makes a lot of sense but has never really seen anything remotely close to mainstream popularity.
But after years of development, the new Antasena Tank Boat has now begun offshore trials off the coast of Banyuwangi, East Java, just opposite of the island of Bali, and will look likely to become a new staple of the country s defense system that is responsible for defending thousands of individuals islands.
Seeing as its a pretty new machine, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense has so far purchased one Tank Boat from defense contractor PT Lundin, but will opt to purchase quite a lot more should they be impressed by its capabilities.
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Indonesia has begun constructing floating tanks capable of patrolling the country’s maritime territories.
Designed by PT Lundin, the new Antasena Tank Boat is 59 feet (18 meters) long and 21 feet (6 meters) wide, and can travel 600 miles (966 kilometers) across water on a single tank of gas.
The vehicle is reportedly meant to operate in Indonesia’s “brown water,” or coastal areas where the land meets the sea. It is large enough to carry more than a platoon of Indonesian Marines.
“It is hoped that the Tank Boat can support the Indonesian Armed Forces in conducting patrols along Indonesia’s seas, rivers, and coasts, and also support coast guard operations,” state-owned defense company PT Pindad said.
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Indonesia has constructed a tank that s also a boat, and it s called a Tank Boat.
It s just as its name suggests – a vehicle with a mounted tank gun that can travel across water, and it s a concept that probably makes a lot of sense but has never really seen anything remotely close to mainstream popularity.
But after years of development, the new Antasena Tank Boat has now begun offshore trials off the coast of Banyuwangi, East Java, just opposite of the island of Bali, and will look likely to become a new staple of the country s defense system that is responsible for defending thousands of individuals islands.