Photo: Texelis
Indonesian private defence firm PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) has introduced a new version of its P2 Tiger 4×4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at its production facility in Tangerang near Jakarta. The unveiling ceremony was attended by PT SSE CEO Eka Suryajaya, Texelis CEO Jean Vandel, and officials from both Indonesia and France.
The updated P2 Tiger replaces its earlier Russian Kamaz Typhoon-based platform with Texelis’ Celeris mobility platform, which draws from the French Army’s Serval APC technology.
“The main difference between P2 Tiger and our previous developments is the independent suspension system, as well as all the technological advantages which make Celeris much more modern than the conventional technology we used before,” said Yusuf Nurdin, PT SSE’s Technology Director. He also praised Texelis for its collaborative approach: “The Texelis team is very supportive and communicative, from design, manufacturing to commissioning. The relationship between us and them is excellent.”
PT SSE designed and manufactured the P2 Tiger at its facility in Tangerang, Indonesia. The company oversaw the development of the armoured hull and assembly of the vehicle, while Texelis supported the integration of the mobility platform and tactical systems.
Jean Vandel, CEO of Texelis, described the partnership as a milestone: “What we do is not localisation. P2 Tiger is an Indonesian vehicle, the first to benefit from the scale of technology transfer we offer. PT SSE produces a great vehicle for which we are honoured to be major suppliers, with the responsibility for the whole mobility system, our speciality. We are proud to see the start of what should be a very long-term partnership with our friends at SSE and which could go way beyond the 4×4 market.”
PT SSE and Texelis began their partnership in March 2023, with a formal contract signed in 2024. Texelis delivered the first Celeris mobility kit within four months, facilitating rapid assembly and prototype development. This collaboration benefited from Texelis’ ongoing production of Serval mobility kits, which share components with the P2 Tiger.
The updated P2 Tiger also highlights strong French-Indonesian defence cooperation. French agencies, including the Defence Mission at the French Embassy and the Direction Générale de l’Armement, have supported the programme, alongside organisations such as GICAT and INAFRA.
The new P2 Tiger has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes and is designed for troop transport. In addition to a two-person crew, the vehicle can carry eight fully-equipped troops. It meets NATO standards for mine protection while its ballistic protection levels are configurable, ranging from STANAG 4569 level 2 to level 4.
The vehicle can be equipped with a roof-mounted remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), capable of housing either a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or a 20 mm cannon. Additionally, it features four external cameras or sensors for situational awareness and an acoustic gunshot detection system mounted at the rear.
The platform features a 375hp Cummins engine, a six-speed automatic Allison transmission, and Powerline transfer cases. The addition of independent suspension and advanced mobility systems significantly enhances its performance, manoeuvrability, and payload capacity. The P2 Tiger is designed for versatile use, including roles in infantry transport, logistics, command posts, and medical evacuation. Its compact design allows two vehicles to fit into an A400M tactical transport aircraft, chosen by Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence.
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