More Badak on the cards
Following an initial order for 50 Badak (Rhino) 6x6 armoured fighting vehicles, it is rumoured the Indonesian Army wants more.
This could push orders into the several hundreds and worth a lot more than the $36 million that domestic manufacturer, PT Pindad, received for the first 50 units.
Badak has passed its qualification tests and the company is preparing the production line and deliveries of Badak could begin later this year, but a large order could see production increase to 25-30 units annually.
Pindad is pinning much credence on its Badak, which was unveiled at the Indo Defence 2014 exhibition. The Badak, based on a new hull with STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection, successfully performed test firings with its 90mm main armament at the Infantry Training Centre from 10-12 December 2015.
For this project Pindad is cooperating closely with Belgian company CMI Defence. The latter’s Cockerill CSE 90LP two-man turret with low-pressure gun will be produced in Indonesia under a transfer of technology agreement signed in late 2014. Pindad engineers have completed training in how to manufacture the turret using aluminium materials, with a spokesman confirming that Pindad will produce 90mm turrets not only for the Badak but also as a ‘special hub to produce the turret for the nearby region’.
The Badak is powered by a 340hp, six-cylinder diesel engine coupled to a ZF automatic transmission. It features independent suspension to help withstand recoil forces when the main gun is fired, while its armour is able to withstand 12.7mm rounds. Pindad’s spokesman hinted that ‘we’ll continue to develop new variants of this type of panzer’.
Pindad began producing the Anoa-1 6x6 APC in 2008, while the Anoa-2 appeared in 2012. The latter possessed improvements to suit it for Lebanon peacekeeping duties, and variants include APC, command, logistic, ambulance, recovery and mortar.
Pindad’s spokesman informed Shephard that around 300 Anoa vehicles have been produced to date, and its United Nations peacekeeping deployments include Darfur and southern Lebanon. The newest amphibious variant has already passed certification tests. Furthermore, this year Pindad sent the Anoa to an undisclosed Middle East country for trials.
(Shephard)