In 2014 cooperative development of a new medium tank was initiated by Turkey and Indonesia in response to a request from the Indonesian Army for a new medium tank. The new tank was jointly developed by FNSS of Turkey and PT Pindad of Indonesia. Initially this cooperative development was known as Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT). Though the tank was later renamed as Kaplan (tiger) in Turkey and Harimu (tiger), or Harimau Hitam (black tiger) in Indonesia. This armored machine was designed to support infantry with its firepower and destroy hostile armed vehicles. The concept was publicly introduced in 2016. The first prototype was built in Turkey and the second one in Indonesia. The prototype was first publicly revealed in 2017. In 2019 Indonesia ordered a first batch of 18-20 of these tanks. Bangladesh and Philippines have put an order for around 40-50 of these medium tanks for each country. These tanks will be jointly produced in Turkey and Indonesia.

   The Kaplan is fitted with a Cockerill 3105 two-man turret. The turret is produced in Belgium by CMI Defence. It is armed with a 105 mm rifled high-pressure gun. This gun is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition, including armor-piercing, high explosive, smoke and so on. This gun has a maximum effective range of 4 km.

   The gun is fitted with a rotary automatic loading system. A total of 16 rounds are stored in the autoloader and are ready to use.

   There is a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Another 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun can be mounted on top of the roof.

   The Kaplan is capable of launching Falarick 105 anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These laser-guided missiles missiles have semi-automatic guidance and a fitted with tandem shaped charge warhead. The Falarick 105 penetrates no less than 550 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive armor. These missiles are used to engage hostile tanks and other heavily armored vehicles at long ranges.

   This tank is fitted with a modern fire control system. It is equipped with thermal imaging sights and laser rangefinder.

   The Kaplan is fitted with a number of modern systems, including a battlefield management system, and cameras with 360° vision.

   This tank has modular armor protection. Add-on armor can be fitted for a higher level of protection, depending on operational requirements. This tank weights 32-35 t, depending on armor configuration. All-round protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. With add-on armor fitted protection is against 25 mm armor-piercing ammunition.

   The Kaplan is fitted with underbelly mine protection. This tank provides high degree of protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices for its weight class. It withstands blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull.

   The tank is fitted with NBC protection system and automatic fire extinguishing system.

   There is a laser warning system, which can trigger smoke grenade dischargers when the tank is illuminated by a laser beam. This reduces the chance of being hit by anti-tank guided missiles with laser guidance.

   This tank is operated by a crew of 3, including commander, gunner and driver.

   The tank is powered by an unspecified diesel engine, developing around 650 hp. Engine is located at the rear. It is mated to a fully-automatic transmission. There is an auxiliary power unit, which powers the turret and electrical systems and charges batteries when the main engine is turned off.