Indonesia’s Harimau Will Join War Thunder’s Japanese Rank VII Tree
The tracked light tank will bring a 105 mm autoloading gun, DM63 APFSDS, thermal imagers, and a laser rangefinder, but its light armor will limit direct fights.
Indonesia’s Harimau will join War Thunder’s Japanese ground forces tree at Rank VII, giving the lineup a tracked light tank built around quick follow-up shots, modern battlefield sensors, and strong mobility. Gaijin Entertainment details the vehicle in its Steam announcement, though no release date is provided and its specifications may change before it reaches the game.
The Harimau will sit after the Type 16 at the end of Japan’s light tank line. Its tracked chassis will trade some top speed for better movement across unstable terrain, while its lower profile gives it a different feel from the wheeled Type 16.
The Harimau is built for fast support play
At the center of the vehicle is a 105 mm rifled Cockerill gun with an autoloader. The reload time is listed at 7.5 seconds, and the tank will have access to DM63 APFSDS ammunition, which gives it a serious option against armored targets at Rank VII.
Its fire-control package includes high-resolution thermal imagers, a laser rangefinder, and a laser warning system. Those tools should help the Harimau spot and engage targets quickly, especially when it is working around capture points or supporting heavier vehicles.
That role comes with a clear warning. The Harimau uses lightweight armor and is not designed to trade shots in a direct firefight. Its strengths are mobility, flanking, objective captures, and drone-assisted reconnaissance, so striking first and relocating will be safer than trying to absorb return fire.
Indonesia and Turkey developed the Harimau together
The real-world Harimau began as a joint Indonesian and Turkish medium tank project. Indonesia and Turkey signed the development agreement in May 2015, with FNSS and PT Pindad handling the work. The first prototype appeared at the IDEF exhibition in May 2017, and serial production was announced in February 2020.
Production vehicles received changes to the hull’s front section, turret system, powertrain, cooling system, and suspension. Deliveries to Indonesia began in February 2024, with the Harimau replacing the aging AMX-13-105.
War Thunder’s Harimau will give Japan another high-rank light tank focused on reconnaissance and support rather than armor protection. Gaijin has not announced when it will enter the game, so the vehicle’s final performance and arrival date remain open to change. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
War Thunder
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment
War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicular combat MMO featuring aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval craft spanning from the early 20th century to the modern era. Players progress through technology trees across multiple nations, unlocking increasingly advanced military vehicles. The game offers three realism tiers for each vehicle type: arcade, realistic, and simulator modes. Originally developed as a flight simulator under the name "World of Planes," the game expanded to include tanks in 2014 and naval forces later, becoming a combined-arms experience. A mobile version was released in 2023.
- Genre Shooter, Simulator, Tactical
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
- Perspective First person, Third person, Virtual Reality
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO)
- Release January 28, 2013
- Publisher Gaijin Entertainment
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