Indonesia to Launch 'Tank Boat'

HUMBAHASTIMES -- State-owned land system and weapons maker PT Pindad is set to launch a new Indonesian-made weapon system that combines the capabilities of a tank and ship, dubbed the "Tank Boat", at the Indo Defense Expo in Jakarta on Nov. 2 to 5.

The Defense Ministry's technology and defense industry director, Brig. Gen. Jan Pieter Ate, said the Tank Boat was a premier technology in the world today where it combined the land capabilities of a tank, as well as maneuverability in water as that of a ship, Thejakartapost.com reported.

"So it integrates combined combat maneuverability, and this is the first technology [of its kind] in the world. This is a product of Indonesia," Jan Pieter said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The Tank Boat was 18 meters in length and required 12 people to operate, he further said. It could be used for beach-side military operations as it also could camouflage itself among the mangroves, he said, adding that the Tank Boat was also able to maneuver in water to a depth of 90 meters.