A Look at Kostrad’s Leopard 2: German-Made Tank Equipped with Smart Ammunition

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Leopard 2 RI Main Battle Tank (MBT) owned by the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) was one of the highlights at the TNI Fair held at the National Monument (Monas) on Saturday (19/9/2026).

TNI soldier Sergeant Iman Mendrofa revealed that this tank is a special variant ordered by Indonesia from Germany.

"There are two versions produced: the 2A4 and this one, the 2 RI, which is a special order. That’s why it's called 2 RI," Iman told Kompas.com on Saturday.

He explained that besides the Leopard 2 RI, there is also the Leopard 2A4 variant, with the main difference being in their armor protection systems.

Iman also detailed several characteristics of the Leopard 2 RI, including its armament, protective layers, and mobility capabilities.

The Leopard 2 RI measures approximately 7.72 meters in length, 4.1 meters wide, and about 3 meters in height.

The tank weighs 63.5 tons and can reach a top speed of 68 kilometers per hour.

Its main weapon is a 120-millimeter caliber cannon.

Iman explained that the ammunition used by the Leopard 2 RI is no ordinary type but smart ammunition.

This ammunition can control the explosion based on the target’s condition.

For example, the shell can penetrate a target first and then explode inside.

"Take a building, for instance; the shell only penetrates the target first. Then it detonates after penetration. The timing of the explosion can be controlled," Iman explained.

In addition to the main 120-millimeter cannon, the tank also has supporting weapons mounted on top of the vehicle.

The Leopard 2 RI is equipped with a front camera that allows the driver to see outside conditions through a monitor inside the tank.

The exterior of the tank is protected by armor plating.

"If there's ammunition or an attack from the enemy, it can be deflected by the armor," he added.

The Leopard 2 RI requires a crew of four: the driver, vehicle commander, gunner, and loader responsible for handling ammunition.

The tank features an image of a rhinoceros, which is the insignia of the unit operating this armored vehicle — the 1st Cavalry Battalion Tank, known as Badak Ceta Cakti.

Iman hopes the TNI Fair will continue to be developed so that the public has broader opportunities to get to know the main weapons system (alutsista) owned by the TNI.

"If possible, it should be expanded so the wider community better understands Indonesia’s military strength," he said.

He emphasized that public introduction to military equipment is also important to provide an overview of the Army’s power.

TNI Fair 2026

TNI Fair 2026 is held at the National Monument (Monas) Crossroads area in Central Jakarta, starting Saturday (19/9/2026) until Sunday (20/9/2026), from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The event is part of the 81st anniversary celebrations of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in October 2026.

The fair showcases various primary weapons systems (alutsista) and non-weapons equipment from the three branches of the TNI.

Besides the alutsista exhibition, visitors can participate in other activities, such as military technology displays, information on TNI soldier recruitment, and soldier performances on the entertainment stage.