Tenders for Sub-Guns and Sniper Rifles for Police

PDRM sniper badge.

SHAH ALAM: The Procurement Division of the Home Ministry has issued two separate tenders for the supply and delivery of submachine guns and sniper rifles for the police. The tender for the submachine guns was published July 18 and closes on August 29. The one for the sniper rifles was published on July 15 and closes also on August 29.

The number of the 9mm submachine guns, complete with accessories, being sought is one thousand units and the indicated cost is RM25 million. The accessories sought are one thousand red dot sights; concealed engagement units (500); suppressors (300), soft carrying kits (1000) and miscellaneous items.

VAT 69 operators armed with Scorpion Evo submachine guns complete with optics and suppressors.

Some of the specifications:

The SMG shall be able to fire its
cartridges safely with muzzle velocity approximately 320-400 m/sec.
1.3 The SMG shall be capable of withstanding high rate of fire
approximately 800 to 1100 rounds per minute.
1.4 The SMG shall come with fore grip for stability
1.5 Caliber shall be 9 X 19 mm Parabellum.
1.6 The operation system shall be close bolt blow back system.
1.7 Weight of SMG shall not be more than 3 kg
1.29The SMG shall have retractable butt stock type and to be equipped with sling attachment.
1.30 The color of the SMG’s body shall be in black and Cerakote
FDE/Coyote. Numbers of colour will be decided upon request by end
user.
1.31 Lower receiver shall be compatible with Glock pistol magazine.

B&T APC9K with a forward grip, red dot sight and a Glock magazine. The Firearm Blog

The last line posted above is interesting as it indicated that the submachine gun offered for the tender must be able to use Glock pistol magazines. Two submachine guns compatible with Glock magazines are the CZ Scorpion EVO (already in service with the police and MMEA) and the B&T APC9K G. A small number of the APC9Ks are in service with the RMN’s Paskal. I believed the Scorpion sub-guns in service with the police are not compatible with Glock magazines though as the ones able to do so, are mostly sold in the US .
A target as seen from CEU mounted on an AR-15 type rifle. Canadian Government.

As the concealed engagement unit (CEU) – gives the operator the ability to observe and/or engage a threat from a concealed or covered position – is likely the one made by Aimpoint, the red dot to be offered with the weapon should be from the manufacturer. A similar device together with a red dot from another manufacturer could also be offered.
Aimpoint Concealed Engagement Unit complete with its mounting unit. Aimpoint.

Although the tender documents did not mention any specific user for the submachine guns, the accessories sought – suppressors and CEU – indicate that some of them would be issued to specialized units like the UTK, VAT 69 and the PGA Tiger Platoon.
A Tiger platoon operator.

As for the sniper rifles tender, mentioned above, is meant for the Tiger platoon – whose members are recruited within PGA battalions. Some of the operators would later move on to the UTK and VAT 69. The indicative cost for the sniper rifles is RM16 million. Some of the specifications of the sniper rifle:

The Sniper Rifle shall be
operating on Bolt Action System.
1.3.2 All components shall be fixed without any adjustment.
1.3.3 The Sniper Rifle shall be magazine fed and the user must under no
circumstances be endangered by the case of ejection.
1.3.4 Caliber – .308 (7.62mm x 51 NATO). Shall be proofed and stamped
by C.I.P/S.A.A.M Proof House or equivalent.
1.4. TECHNICAL DATA 1.4.1 Weight with empty magazine and without
accessories shall be 6.0kg – 6.5kg

A police sniper with UTK with an AI precision rifle.

Apart from the thirty-two sniper rifles inclusive of accessories, it must also be supplied with 32 day-scope (It shall be 5-25×56 magnification HD Series with Illuminated First Focal Plane (FFP) Reticle; 32 night-weapon sight; 32 Tactical Spotting Scope 20-60×80 mil.dot complete with carbon fiber tripod; 32 carrying case; 32 suppressors; and 300,000 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm (.308) 175 grain Match Grade Ammunition.
Deputy IGP firing a Scorpion sub-gun with a red dot sight. Note the curve magazines which indicate that they are CZ made ones and the gun is unlikely compatible with Glock magazines. The Scorpion was purchased around 2014/2015.

As the police operate the Accuracy International sniper rifles in both the 308 and 338 Lapua Magnum, it is likely that the chosen rifle will be from the manufacturer.

For the full specifications of the sub-machine guns and sniper rifles, please check with the Eperolehan website.

–Malaysian Defence

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17 Comments

  1. I really hope this doesn’t lead to another round of ”why do the police need SMGs and sniper rifles”; ”what is VAT-69’s role” and things of that sort.

    On VAT-69 it was reported in the past that it had annual training sessions with with U.S. Green Berets. Wonder if this still happens and if VAT-69 regularly trains with Gerak Khas. I do know that the police have their own jump trainers/masters and riggers but I’m guessing that VAT-69 and UTK still trains with Gerak Khas from time totime.

  2. @Azlan:
    “I really hope this doesn’t lead to another round of ”why do the police need SMGs and sniper rifles…”

    It is still relevant for people to question it.
    Police is not military so overpower should be questioned. Somewhere in the world military is used as a tool to control people and in other part military is replace by police used as a mean by politician.

    Secondly, police main duty is internal security and upholding the law.

    It is not what type of gun the police could have but how big firepower they could have, such as could police used a rifle beyond 5.56mm?
    The question which should by rised by citizen.

  3. Since CZ Scorpion already in Police service its more than likely will be repeat order unless their unsatisfied with this weapon.

    ”why do the police need SMGs and sniper rifles…”
    While the need for SMG & sniper rifles are understandable in the light of Trump attempted assassination, a good look at the Tiger platoon operator would show there is little to differentiate him from a Armed Forces SOF except the POLIS tag he is wearing.

    Is there really a need for assault rifles? And policeman with ghillie suits? Ugghh!

  4. Romeo – ”Police is not military so overpower should be questioned. ”

    Well thanks for actually taking the time to explain but my statement was not suggesting the police should be beyond scrutiny.

    Romeo – ”It is not what type of gun the police could have but how big firepower they could have”

    Well ”firepower” has to do wuth the type of gun in question.

    Romeo – ”The question which should by rised by citizen.”

    Then as a cvitizen by all means direct your questions – if any – at the relevant channels.

    Romeo – ”Somewhere in the world military is used as a tool to control people and in other part military is replace by police used as a mean by politician.”

    Stating an opnion or telling us. If telling us; what’s the relevence to thos post?

    ” Is there really a need for assault rifles?”

    For the roles certain police units perform; yes. We’re talking about police units trained for special roles; i.e. VAT 69 which is police but has roles normal police units don’t. If memory serves in a previous post what police units in other countries have assault rifles : the PNP’s SAF; the Thai BPP [it has also long had a jump role]; certain Mexican police units; Singapore’s PTU; etc.

  5. Romeo – ”It is still relevant for people to question it.”

    It has been discussed to death and a simple search would indicate what VAT69 and Senoi Praq were formed; the roles they performed during the 2nd Emergency and the roles they’re expected to perform as of 2024. When one understands that – if not from reading then a fast Google search – the answer stares at you in the face.

    Now I don’t know if you’re included in the ”people” you referred to and I’m really indifferent to it but it’s obvious why certain police units have a need for fully automatic weapons; the type of units who don’t pull you over for using your phone whilst driving and the type you don’t go in the event you lose your car …

  6. The 308 sniper rifles have a range about 800 meters, while the 338 Lapua Magnum around 2000 meters. It could also be used as anti-material rifles to shoot against vehicles etc. They are needed for shooting beyond the range of the 5.56mm calibre which has an effective range of around 500 meters.

    Nine milimeter sub-machine guns are useful as they offer much better shootability with less training, than pistols which needed long hours markmanship to master it.

  7. ”And policeman with ghillie suits? ”

    If a sniper or a marksman – from certain units – was operating outdoors; he might have a need to blend in with the environment. The sniper or marksman is police and from a police unit but the unit is not your standard police unit; not the chaps we see daily on the roads.

  8. The ghillie suits are for the jungle or intermediate environment. In an urban environment, they will wear the same uniform as the VAT 69/UTK/Tiger Platoon ones with the Polis sign on their back.

    Some of them also wear suits to blend into the situation/environment. The only thing different is the big Pelican cases in the back.

    But they all trained with the ghillie suits to get their sniper badges.

  9. ”While the need for SMG & sniper rifles are understandable in the light of Trump attempted assassination”

    The famous photo from Reagan’s attempted assassination; his bodyguards had Uzis.

  10. Marhalim – ” Nine milimeter sub-machine guns are useful as they offer much better shootability with less training, than pistols”]

    I’m bad with guns but I was under the impression that shooting a MP5 is easy but shooting it well or tactically with accuracy takes constant practice; lots of it.

  11. Correct me if I am wrong:
    The PDRM special forces can be put under military command if for example, heaven forbid, a foreign invasion of the country were to happen.
    That way, they will not be classified as unlawful combatants and will be given formal POW status if captured.

  12. No, they cannot be put under military command just like that. Police forces are considered part of the national government apparatus and they are treated as such.

  13. If we need a sniper with ghillie suits, call in the army. I agree with Romeo, there should be a distinct role gap between the Police (civil & low threat situations, medium threat that requires a SWAT team) and the army (high risk situations, nonstate actors with military grade weapons). Even policemen with 5.56mm assault rifles is disconcerting to me.

  14. They have already introduced body cams and taser guns for general duty ie policing. These are purchased under separate tenders. The last tender for 1156 taser pistols was published in 2022 and was awarded to Nichimen Resources. The LOA was not published.

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