SHAH ALAM: Transforming the army, sort off. It appears that Weststar Defence is continuing delivery of the latest variants of its GK-MK1 tactical vehicles to the Army. This was revealed following a visit by Army chief Jen Zulkiple Kassim to the headquarters of 4 Divisyen in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 23, 2017.
As part of the visit, Zulkiple was photographed with the GK-MK1, likely the Fitted for Radio 4X4 vehicle variant. The vehicle was not identified in the photographs carried by the Army’s online news service, BTDM, on its website or Facebook page.
However as another picture showed the vehicle is fitted with a side ladder indicating that it is the Fitted for Radio variant. Based on its registration plate of ZC 4113, we can assumed that the vehicle was probably only recently delivered to the Army. In contrast, the Lipanbara MRAP delivered within the last two years carried the 3000 series numbers.
The GK-MK1 ZC 4113 looked different from the other GK-M1 vehicles already delivered to the Army. It has much sharper chin, bigger grille and small round headlights fitted to sides compared to the older vehicles.
The delivery of the latest variants of the GK-MK1s were first revealed at the inspection of the Army’s alert battalion in February this year. It must be noted that Weststar has not designated the newer variant as the MK2.
As you are aware the GK-MK1s are derived from the Thairung Transformer 4X4 vehicle manufactured by Thai Union Car Company, which itself was based on the Toyota Hilux.
The new GK-MK1 appears to be the Transformer II which was displayed at the Bangkok Motor Show last year. From PaulTan.org
Say hello to the most bizarre car at the 2016 Bangkok Motor Show, the Thairung Transformer II. Made by decades-old local company Thairung Union Car – which traditionally fashions utility vehicles from truck underpinnings – the Thairung Transformer II is a replacement for the original Transformer, which was based on the previous-gen Toyota Hilux Vigo (the current, outgoing Hilux in Malaysia).
But with the Vigo replaced by the latest Hilux Revo, Thairung’s “Hilux SUV” had to transform as well, and the company’s Transformer II is based on the new Hilux, which will be launching soon in Malaysia.
Anyhow, apart from the GK-MK1 variants, Weststar Defence is also supplying the Cargo 4X4 to the Army as part of the program to replace the various types of Land Rovers previously in service. It is also supplying the Guardian ASV to replace the Condors operating in Lebanon.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (22)
Thailand boleh!
Great to see the ASEAN spirit alive. BTW other than some UAVs, has the Thai military got anything else from Malaysia?
Well the thais did send their hercs for mro in malaysia, so there's that
If I recall correctly, a few years ago CTRM sold a couple of UAS to Thailand. Not sure if was to the Thai military or another organisation.
Whether it’s the Weatstar or VAMTAC the fact remains that all the vehicles have zero ballistic protection. Let’s hope we never face a situation like that faced in the early stages of Iraq and Afghanistan by the U.S. and UK where soft skin vehicles with no protection led to casualties that could have been avoided. Come to think of it, it’s not as if we’ve never faced a similar problem - during the 2nd Emergency many casualties resulted from attacks on convoys.
Back in the 80’s the Thais with mainly U.S. help set up a large ammo reserve in case the Vietnamese crossed over from Cambodia. Along with other countries we contributed.
There is actually an armoured vamtac variant.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Urovesa_Vamtac_Armored.png/800px-Urovesa_Vamtac_Armored.png
As for the thairung transformer, i don't think there is any advantage between it a normal toyota fortuner. I don't think thairung offers a ballistic protection kit for the transformer. There is another thai company doing ballistic protection modifications, but not on toyota hiluxes.
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Of course the Vamtac is also available in the armoured variant, we did not specify it when we got them as well as the time for the Land Rover replacement program. Singapore for that matter did tried out the armoured Vamtac but instead chose the Paramount MRAP and another one from Nexter
Singapore choose ford Everest as their land Rover replacement. Don't see the problem here
They're not meant for front line anyway
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The Everests are used inside the camps and non combat use only
The SAF Ford Everests replace a few vehicles.
For training exercises, they are replacing the safety vehicle. This is a Land Rover which carries a medic and accompanies troops in training in the field. Casualties will be evacuated to a camp medical centre and from there by ambulance (Land Rover being replaced by Ford F150 ambulance for tactical use and by Mercedes van ambulance for regular use).
It also replaces a few vehicles as the commander's transport. GP cars for regular use, Land Rover and G-wagon for use in the field.
The SAF Ford Everests replace a few vehicles.
For training exercises, they are replacing the safety vehicle. This is a Land Rover which carries a medic and accompanies troops in training in the field. Casualties will be evacuated to a camp medical centre and from there by ambulance (Land Rover being replaced by Ford F150 ambulance for tactical use and by Mercedes van ambulance for regular use).
It also replaces a few vehicles as the commander's transport. GP cars for regular use, Land Rover and G-wagon for use in the field.
The Land Rovers may not be air conditioned, but they have better mobility and will not be phased out any time soon.
dundun - ''Don’t see the problem here.They’re not meant for front line anyway''
Yes but what happens if they're no clear front lines or if they unexpectedly come under fire? Irrespective of whether a vehicle is expected to come under direct fire or not; some planning should go into ensuring that it has some level of protection should the need arise or the unexpected should occur. Very few armies have enough IFVs to meet all operational requirements and it's inevitable that some types of vehicles [in this case soft skin types] will be misused or placed in situations not planned for.
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Actually all of the GK-MK1 will be at the frontline.
That said, the Land Rover is not being retired. It has better mobility than the Ford Everest and it will be in the SAF for a long time to come.
The SAF is getting unarmoured Vamtacs to replace infantry battalion G-wagons. Whether the Vamtac will replace other vehicles is not known yet.