Army Shooting Team in Oz

A member of the Army shooting team taking part in the Sniper competition of AASAM 2016 with an Accuracy International AW rifle. Australian Army - FB

SHAH ALAM: THE Malaysian Army shooting team took part in the Australian Army Skills at Arms Meeting (AASAM) 2016 held at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria last week. The AASAM 2016 is being held at the Combined Arms Training Centre from the 3rd May to the 20th.

As this is an annual event not much have been reported on the meet apart from information and pictures shared on the AASAM Facebook page. According to the organisers “with 310 international and 123 ADF competitors, AASAM is a chance to meet and share combat shooting skills. Organisers are particularly working with regional neighbours in the Pacific. Coming up against new and demanding matches will ensure soldiers return home with extra knowledge, refined methods and good habits they can share with their units”.

Apart from individual and team events, a sniper shooting competition was also held during the meet. The Japan sniping team won first place with China and UK teams coming in second and third. The Malaysian shooting team also took part in the sniper competition with two participants.

Some of the soldiers which took part in the sniper event at AASAM 2016. One of the Malaysian soldiers stand on the extreme left while his team mate is squatting second from the left. Australian Army - FB
Some of the soldiers which took part in the sniper event at AASAM 2016. One of the Malaysian soldiers stand on the extreme left while his team mate is squatting second from the left. Australian Army – FB

Interestingly, the Army sniper team was shown equipped with the Accuracy International AX sniper rifle. However it is unclear whether it is chambered for the 338 Lapua or the .308/7.62mm ammunition. It is likely that it is the former though judging from the size. I stand to be corrected of course.

A member of the Army shooting team taking part in the Sniper competition of AASAM 2016 with an Accuracy International AX rifle. Australian Army - FB
A member of the Army shooting team taking part in the Sniper competition of AASAM 2016 with an Accuracy International AX rifle. Australian Army – FB

As usual in the field, soldiers tried out their colleague’s weapons.

A South Korean soldiers test out the AX sniper rifle under the watchful eye of the Malaysian sniper.
A South Korean soldiers test out the AX sniper rifle under the watchful eye of the Malaysian sniper.

Results posted on the Facebook page showed that one of the Malaysian shooting team members took the tenth spot in the 450 metre international service rifle shooting competition. That particular shoot was won by an Anzac soldier followed closely by an Indonesian. An Indonesian also took the top spot in another shooting event.

A Malaysian Army shooting team member in one of the events. Australian Army - FB.
A Malaysian Army shooting team member in one of the events. Australian Army – FB.

From the pictures (above and below) and also confirmed by the AASAM 2016 FB page, the Army shooting team used combat optics though I cannot identify it readily.

A Malaysian Army soldier takes aim at AASAM 2016. Australian Army - FB
A Malaysian Army soldier takes aim at AASAM 2016. Australian Army – FB

The rifle may well be a Colt M16A4 rifle and not the M4A1 Carbine Heavy Barrel which I had reported in September last year.

Meanwhile, the Army is looking to procure 7.62mm sniper rifles according to the Defence Ministry tender website. However as I have no access to the tender documents, I have no idea what are the technical requirements and numbers being sought.

— Malaysian Defence

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About Marhalim Abas 2329 Articles
Shah Alam

14 Comments

  1. Probably its EOTech’s hybrid sight judging by the box shape on the front of that scope… Then again, its just to small to look properly in the picture, so I might be wrong…

  2. On unrelated note, where can I get that tentera darat utility cover (that pointed baseball cap the guy in the second pic is wearing)?

    Reply
    No idea..

  3. Yeah, I believe that is Elcan optic too.

    Btw, Marhalim sir,

    I read about VB LP06 Berapi gun a few years back, and found out it was not a hoax just recently. Do you have any info on it? Is there any effort in our defense industry to actually produce indigenous assault rifle?

    Reply
    No

  4. Dyce,

    Berapi was based in a building along Jalan Ipoh. One of the several firearms designers they had was Bulgarian. They had several ”unconventional” designs. One of the people involved in the company was the first CO of MALBATT in Cambodia; he wrote a book about his experiences there. He later became the first CO of 4th Mechanised Brigade. He told that at first, his brigade, despite the new designation, had no IFVs!

  5. Also Marhalim, just went to ‘Malaysian Defence and Security Community’ facebook page, one of the comments even post a pic of our boy wielding an FN MAG during the competition.

    My question was, why MAG and not a Minimi?

    Reply
    I have no idea

  6. Morning Marhalim, you know? i went to DSA 2016 last month to see the French Company Renk new engine call 350S. Engine for PT-91M Pendekar. What do you think about their offer? Do you think Malaysia Goverment agree that?

    http://www.janes.com/article/59790/renk-france-launches-powerpack

    Reply
    No idea if the Army wants to replace the engines of the Pendekar. Will ask if I go to Gemas for the firepower demo next week.

  7. Sorry off topic,

    Is there any interest from the TUDM in the SAAB Global Eye? AEW and MPA in one plane.

    Reply
    I have not asked yet

  8. The PT91 Pendekars are in need of upgrading i think,not only in the
    form of more powerful engines but also new armour set to replace the old ERAs with new applique type armour as I have Syrian T72s covered all over with the blocks being knocked out very easily. But of course,I have to admit not knowing to what extend the applique type armour can ensure the survival of the Pendekars’crews!

  9. Rozaimi,

    New ERA are needed; ones that can deal with KE penetrators. ERAWA was not intended to deal with KE penetrators. It will also be nice if applique armour or chicken wire is fitted to areas such as the engine deck and sides; important given that we train to use our MBTs in urban areas and in urban areas attacks can come from any quarter. A main problem is the lack of a 24 hour hunter/killer capability; which can easily be rectified.

    Radin,

    Renk, if I’m not mistaken, supplied the gearboxes.

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