Indonesia and South Korea have collaborated on a number of projects, among them the Tarantula, a 90mm fire support vehicle.
Indonesia is one of the important partners in the “New Southern Policy” of the Government of South Korea to improve relations with countries in the South, especially India and Southeast Asian countries. In the defense sector, Indonesia and South Korea have collaborated on a number of projects, among them the Tarantula, a 90mm fire support vehicle. The vehicle was originally developed in Korea by Doosan and is based on the Black Fox armored personnel carrier chassis. The partnership includes technology transfer, and final assembly is done in Indonesia by Pindad.
Tarantula was delivered to the Indonesian military beginning in 2012 and completed in 2013. A total of 43 vehicles were delivered. This vehicle is fitted with a 90 mm turret, with the main role is infantry fire support. It can engage buildings and field fortifications. It is also effective against lightly armored and soft skin vehicles.
The Tarantula’s 90 mm gun does not have enough firepower to engage a tank, but its mobility offers a significant tactical advantage, which can be deployed in a short time. Basically, it is emphasized on speed, deployability, and maneuverability to counter enemy forces.
The Tarantula is equipped with a Cockeril CSE 90LP two-man turret, manufactured in Belgium by CMI Defense. Its main armament is a 90 mm low-pressure gun, which can fire a variety of 90 mm ammunition, including HE, HEAT, HESH, APFSDS, canister and smoke rounds. Maximum indirect range of fire is up to 6 km. Though effective range of direct fire is up to around 2 km. The gun is equipped with a fully stabilized system and can shoot accurately on the move. The fire control system includes a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer.
The weapon system is mounted on a 6×6 wheeled chassis. It is lightly armored, providing comprehensive protection from small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. It is likely that the front arc withstands hits from 12.7 mm armor-piercing rounds. The vehicle is operated by a crew of 3: commander, gunner and driver. Crews enter and exit the vehicle via a rear electrically operated ramp with integral door. There is also a roof hatch.
Maneuverability is provided by a Cummins turbocharged diesel engine, developing 400 hp, located in front of the hull, combined with an automatic transmission. Vehicle has steering on the front four wheels, and is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres. The maximum road speed can be up to 100 km/h, the operating range is 600 km. The Tarantula is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by two waterjets, mounted at the rear. Maximum amphibious speed on water is 8 km/h.
Indonesia is also operating another locally developed 90mm fire support vehicle, called the Badak. The vehicle is developed based on the Anoa 6×6 armored personnel carrier chassis. It has basically the same configuration and equipment as the Tarantula. It seems that the Indonesian army is quite fond of such 90mm weapon systems, possibly because of their excellent mobility.
