Indonesia developed P8 light tank for archipelago operations

Indonesia’s defense company has unveiled a new P8 hybrid light tank for archipelago operations.

The Indonesian defense company PT SSE Defense presented the combat concept of a new P8 light tank at the Indo Defense international exhibition, IndonesiaDefense reports.

This hybrid amphibious tracked vehicle is designed for rapid deployment in Indonesia’s fragmented geography.

The P8 is a response to the challenging natural conditions of Indonesia, a country made up of islands.

The vehicle has a lightweight tracked chassis adapted to travel in jungles, swamps and mountainous terrain.

The tank weighs 12 tons, and the 450 horsepower diesel-electric hybrid provides a ratio of 56 hp/t – an extraordinary figure for this category of equipment.

Such an engine allows for high acceleration, fuel economy and significantly reduces heat and sound signature.

The P8 also has amphibious capabilities and can be transported by air using a C-130 Hercules aircraft.

This makes it ideal for rapid response and combat operations on islands, especially in Southeast Asia. The key element of the tank is a modern remote-controlled turret with a 30-mm automatic cannon.

It is designed to engage light armored vehicles, manpower and urban targets. It is also equipped with anti-tank missile launchers.

The tank is currently at an early stage of development. It is known that it has already passed internal tests. The company plans to offer the vehicle to the Indonesian Armed Forces first, but exports are also possible in the future, primarily to countries with similar geographical conditions.

It is worth noting that today there is no direct concept of “light tanks” anymore, but most combat vehicles that fit this definition perfectly according to certain criteria officially have a different classification assigned to them within the armed forces of a particular country.