Indonesian X18 Tank Boat Concept

The X18 Tank Boat Concept is an original Indonesian marine tanks is successfully developed by PT. Lundin Industry Invest, which is a Banyuwangi-based military boat factory. The concept of this marine tanks in a claim to being one of the first in the world because there is no other country which makes it even though America.

After creating the stealth warship, the KCR Trimaran KRI Klewang, the company re-initiated the idea of ​​building a boat or ship with a combination of heavy tanks. The ship is named X18 Tank Boat or similar to the concept of marine tanks. This combination is claimed to be first created and are not in the world arms market.

The X18 Tank Boat Concept by PT. Lundin Industry Invest. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1X9RpZ)

President Director of PT. Lundin Industry Invest, John Lundin, on the sidelines of the Armored Vehicle Asia (AVA) Conference 2015, in Hotel Crowne, Jakarta, saying that "We see this marine tanks can be used for operations in sea and river. The heavy tanks have obstacles to operating in deepening and the islands. Then we develop a combination of boat and tanks to support amphibious landings but equipped with heavy weapons."

Here are several detailed picture of the X18 Tank Boat Concept. (All picture taken from: http://adf.ly/1X9RpZ)

For raw materials, the X18 Tank Boat will use composite materials. Material is considered 10 times stronger than steel but 10 times lighter than steel. John assure fireproof composite material for Tank Boat. He made sure not repeated a similar tragedy that befell to KRI Klewang for wearing a similar material.

"The issue has been resolved. The composite material had problems about resistance to fire. This is a problem in the world. Now composite materials technology have been used in trains and aircraft. The latest technology of composite materials 100% fireproof," he explained further.

X-18 Tank Boat for riverine operations. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ao8H2)

Furthermore John explained, the combination of heavy tanks and boat was ever built by the Russians during World War 2 and the Vietnam War by the United States. Although developed, the product has not succeeded in boat tanks to be produced due to technological constraints. Now, the composite material was helping to resolve the problem of the burden.

A scale model of X18 Tank Boat Concept by PT. Lundin Industry Invest. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1X9RZH)

"Today, the turret of aluminum. Want to shoot from the sea, it takes a high stability. But in the past it can not. This is lightweight products because the use of composite, that might be difficult to be manufactured 5-15 year ago," he explained.

The company plans to making the collaboration with PT. Pindad (Persero) to develop this marine tank. As for the manufacture of the turrets with 105 MM caliber, the company took the CMI Defence, while the Swedish Bofors will be towed to the development of weapons systems.

John admitted the Indonesian military (TNI) responded positively to this marine tanks concept. "They are very impressive. Only 5-10 years ago this product does not exist so do not enter their plans so we work hard to develop," he explained.

When operating, the X18 Tank Boat is capable of carrying four crew and 20 personnel. On the water, the boat made in Banyuwangi is capable of traveling at a maximum speed of 40 knots. The ship has a length of 18 meters with a width of 6.6 meters.

With the X18 Tank Boat, will obviously add to the strength of the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) as well as making the Indonesian military forces are taken into account in the world. In addition it can also be a new breakthrough in expanding markets the Indonesian main weaponry system. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JAKARTAGREATER]

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