Indo Defence 2025: Indonesia introduces locally developed light tank

A mock-up of the P8 light tank on display at Indo Defence 2025. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Jakarta-based PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) has unveiled the mock-up of a locally developed amphibious light tank, which it is positioning for the Indonesian Army's armoured reconnaissance requirements.

It is known as the P8 light tank and it has been under development over the last two years, said Wahyu Rahmat Hidayat, a PT SSE engineer who spoke to Janes at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition where the mock-up was unveiled.

In the interview, Wahyu described the P8 as one that has been designed fully by Indonesian engineers, and the tank has been conceived specifically for tropical operating conditions.

A major feature of the P8 is manoeuvrability and deployability, said Wahyu. The vehicle weighs just 12 tonnes, and this makes it more capable of crossing the muddy terrains and rivers associated with the Southeast Asian landscape.

Its weight and dimensions also make it suitable to be transported by aircraft that are in service with the Indonesian Air Force, such as the C-130.

Armour thickness of the P8 varies from 8 mm to 12 mm depending on the location, with critical areas such as those surrounding the driver and its ammunition magazine reinforced with maximum protection.

It is designed to be powered by a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, which includes a six-cylinder 450 hp engine that gives the tank a top speed of about 80 km/h.

Weapons that can be fitted onboard the P8's remote-controlled weapon station include a 30 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine guns, and anti-tank guided missiles.