Antasena, A cross between a tank and a boat produced by the defense contractor company PT Lundin is undergoing tests in coastal waters in Banyuwangi, East Java, on 28 April 2021.
The Ministry of Defense has purchased one unit of the tank boat and promises to buy more if the test is successful–and will be operational next year.
The Indomilitary defense blog reported on the test and was quoted by the Popular Mechanics website on 10 May 2021. It was stated that the start of testing on that day included a development period that had been ongoing for several years.
Tank Boats have turret cannons 105 millimeter, caliber long-range weapons system 0,50, and the antenna mast contains an optical-electric sensor.
PT Lundin is said to have designed the Antasena Tank Boat by taking into account the unique geography of Indonesia as an archipelagic country.
The total length of Indonesia's coastline 61,567 mil, more than five times the coastline of the United States.
With that condition, Indonesia faces two challenges: external defense, which can involve the rapid deployment of troops from one island to another, and piracy or pirates who are organized and use the archipelago as a hideout.
The Antasena tank boat has a catamaran design which gives a wider volume effect. Also higher stability in shallow seas, only about one meter. Shallow water capability adapts to the boat's design for landing troops from the Marine Corps.
Tank Boats are designed to have a carrying capacity of up to 20 Marine personnel for the purposes of landing personnel. The dimensions : long 59 feet and width 21 sister, which reflects the shape of the catamaran hull. The power source is the engine 1.200 HP-MAN and two waterjets.
Maximum speed 40 knots with the furthest distance that can be reached 600 mil. This means, Antasena can advance from Washington D.C. to Boston using one tank of natural gas.
There is nothing unique about this tank boat compared to Navy patrol boats in shallow waters. Even if there is, it is part of the tank, namely a turret designed to provide space for a personnel.
Armament began with a Cockerill 105-millimeter gun. The elevation angle of the cannon movement 42 degrees and accurate aiming up to distance 3 miles away. This tank boat is also equipped with machine guns 7,62 millimeters that can be controlled remotely.
During test, The Antasena tank boat uses a 30-millimeter autocannon.
