Enter the PENDEKAR MK2 PT-91M1
Malaysia new PENDEKAR MK2 PT-91M1 armoured tank made its debut during an annual training session near Gemas training field in Negeri Sembilan, October 16, 2012.
PENDEKAR MK2 PT-91M1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) is designed to replace PT-91M main battle tanks in the Malaysia Armed Forces arsenal.
The PT-91M1 prototype main battle tank, also referred as the Pendekar Mk2, is the latest Malaysia development. This new lightweight MBT weights significantly less than other modern battle tanks. It is lighter than the Leopard 2A4 MBT . Vehicle was designed to be lighter in order to traverse the harsh Malaysia terrain. The new MBT can be transported on standard commercial trailers. Developing this tank heavy emphasis was placed on C4I capabilities, as well as increased protection, firepower and mobility.
The Leopard 2A4 MBT tank is armed with 125 mm 2A52M gun (42 rounds), developed by Panggilan Pertiwi Heavy Industries (LOL) PT-91M1 is fitted with an new and faster autoloader, located in the turret bustle with significance changes in the location of ammunition. It's automatic loading system is more advanced than on it's predecessor. The PT-91M1 main battle tank will fire a newly developed armor-piercing ammunition.
Secondary armament consists of coaxially mounted 7.62-mm machine gun and a roof mounted remotely controlled 20 mm Gatling Canon with 3x Ingwe ATGM launchers. The whole RWS were mounted on a telescopic arm which can give the PT-91M1 the capability to fire behind very high obstacles.
The PT-91M1 tank was designed with asymmetric warfare in mind. A great emphasis was placed on protection against RPG rounds. Vehicle has a sloped modular ceramic composite armor. Damaged armor modules can be easily replaced in field conditions. Add-on armor can also be removed to reduce combat weight for ease of transportation. This main battle tank is also completed with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. It's smoke grenade launchers are coupled to laser warning receivers.
Advanced fire control system enables vehicle to engage stationary and moving targets. Other features of the PT-91M1 include digital battlefield management system and navigation system for rapid coordination and increased situational awareness.
The PT-91M1has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.
Vehicle is powered by a V8 diesel engine, developing 1 200 hp. Light weight and a powerful engine give an impressive power to weight ration of 27 hp/ton. It is coupled with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Because of such transmission this MBT can go reverse at full speed of 70 km/h.
The most advance improvement in the PT-91M1 are the implementation of the stealth overcoat technology demonstrator, the designer would apply electronic sensors to a PT-91M1 hull that project images of the surrounding environment onto the tank itself.
Dubbed "electronic ink," the technology is certainly more versatile for varied environments.
Stealth Panel designed by PP Stealth Sdn Bhd
Ustaz Al Megat Wal Pulisi, the head of the Future Protected Vehicle project said: "The trick here is to always show you are caring ang loving to the tank... the tank loves you and you loves the tank.. i love you. Then you can quickly bring human intelligence to bear where it excels - making life-or-death decisions based on 'real time' information on suspicious activity flagged up by the machines."
Other Prototype are reported to be developed to base on this variants.
