SHAH ALAM: When it rains it pours AKA Army Recapitalisation Programme, Part 2. If anyone think that I was off my rockers with the Army Recapitalisation Programme posts, let it be known that it is the real deal.
Yes, its not like the Army is buying MBTs or new Gempitas but as an Army moves on its stomach, replacing old stuff from trucks to boats are also a big deal, though less sexy, I must admit.
On Thursday (Oct. 3, 2019), the Defence Ministry issued tenders for buses, heavy expanded tactical mobility trucks (HEMTT), gun towers and one tonne general services cargo trucks (see above).
Based on the tender documents, the Army is looking for 10 44-seat buses, three HEMTT, 36 gun towers and 150 one tonne trucks.
The 36 gun towers are to tow 105mm guns for the Close Support Royal Artillery Regiments. In around 2010, the Army bought unknown number of Uro Vamtacs to replace the 6X6 Pinzagauers. Within the last few years, the Army also bought an unknown number of Weststar GK-MK1 as gun towers.
With a large number of GK-M1 already in service as gun towers, weapon carriers, fitted for radio and all sorts of others, it is likely the Army will standardised its vehicles to this type even with the tender exercise. Basically what had happened with the Land Rover in the past. It is interesting to note however that other government agencies have yet to choose the Weststar vehicle for their own fleet.
As for HEMTT this is basically a prime mover to pull a trailer carrying containers, water tanks and also armoured vehicles. The Army bought a number of the AMDAC Roman for this role in the late 90s but I have not seen them recently. Its likely the tender is to replace these vehicles, if they are no longer serviceable or supplement them if they are still in service.
Last month, the Army also advertised the tenders for three Tactical Mobility Support System trucks meant to support its bridging units. The tender was published shortly after the tenders for the ATGW and fire support vehicles came out.
I was told that the tenders for the vehicles above are one of the biggest for the Army in a long time after it had concentrated on other things like the Gempita. The numbers being procured are small but it is expected to continue into the near future so more new vehicles are expected to be in service soon. As for the sexy stuff, as I said previously said those have to wait for the next RMK.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (32)
"...other government agencies have yet to choose the Weststar..." they went for models from Japanese and US OEM, and no new Land Rover Defenders too. Those OEM-specs and customisation fulfill their requirement perhaps. Not to forget after sales service available all over the country,even mechanics at small pekan can repair emergency those models.
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Yes
This is basically what a GS cargo 1 ton looks like, which is basically a replacement for the Land Rover Defender 110 HCPU.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3WA0lpH6Ig/T5F7h01Xb1I/AAAAAAAAB5k/eg4z1XDrtCQ/s1600/Weststar_GSC_3-4_ton_4x4_light_tactical_vehicle_Malaysia_Malaysian_army_defence_industry_military_technology.jpg
This has been also bought by the police and kastam, and yes it is from the same supplier as the GK-M1
Actually the GK-M1 can also be repaired by any pokok ceri foremens. It is just a rebodied toyota hilux.
You sure its raining? Feel like just some wind.
On another note, do anybody know the ATM wishlist for next RMK12 and when will the RMK be presented? Let's hope the DWP presented in December shall provided good ideas for our bean counters in the Defence Ministry.
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The next RMK will be announced late next year.
Usually it's called "prime mover" =)
Gun tower sounds like... menara mariam
Which sounds kinda cool though, haha
Thought it's called a prime mover too. It did confuse me a second when the term gun tower was used.
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It was the exact word used in the advertisement and also tender documents. I know it's not the correct term but I have long ignored such things as I have no way of getting them to correct it.
“Gun tower” is a term that was previously used. I remember way back in the early 1990’s when it was reported that Volvo “gun towers” had been ordered for the FH-70’’s. These “prime movers” actually had “towers” on them.
Like other militaries the MAF is also using acronyms now : “heavy expanded tactical mobility trucks” (HEMTT). We tend to be late in the game but whether it’s with digital uniforms for the MAF, with acronyms or the slanted chest pockets for easier access with one hand; we tend to follow what others are doing.
It’s good that we’re ordering various soft skin vehicles but it’s hoped that certain vehicles (the “weapons carriers) will have some form of ballistic protection against small arms fire; alas this is unlikely to happen and the only protection will be wire mash on windscreens and side windows. It’s not as if we haven’t experience of soft skin vehicles being on the receiving end of hostile fire.
It’s also hoped that maintenance practices will be improved. The Pinzgauers could have been operated longer but there were issues with its unique drive train assembly. On the Weststar GK-M1: never mind how it looks externally but did we originally bought it because it actually suits the army’s requirements or because it was another case of supporting the local industry?
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As for the weapon carriers there is no specific requirements for it to be armoured. Vendors can of course offer an armoured solution but I think it will be more than the budget
What IS the budget for a weapon carrier, do we know?
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No idea, but I think it should not be more than RM400,000 per vehicle
Weapons carriers are at best used as a "technical", using shoot and scoot methods.
Add-on armour (like clip-on transparent window armour and armour inserts for doors) can be used to give a bit of protection from small arms fire, but not much else.
Azlan has a point though about up-armouring, say at least to STANAG Level 1
But I suspect these things are really just equipment haulers for the infantry. You bring the gear somewhere, demount and dig in
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Its really to give some relief to the support company as they cannot haul on their back the guns and the ammo. It is also used as convoy protection.
.... - “ using shoot and scoot methods”
In theory but in reality when providing direct fire they will be vulnerable to return fire. Also, “shoot and scoot” tactics are dependent on terrain; not only for speed but for concealment. Also depends on what’s firing at them; a MBT’s main gun won’t be able to hit fast moving vehicles (.i.e. the Libyans in Chad) but small
arms and crew served weapons will.
..... - “can be used to give a bit of protection from small arms fire, but not much else.”
What else is expected? Any more than that and we must as well ditch them and go for AFVs.
Some level of protection against small arms fire and shrapnel/splinters is a must especially when “weapons carriers” will be fired upon when delivering direct fire. As things stand however the “weapons carriers” won’t be receiving any protection; if things get hot we’ll just (like others) receive a painful/costly reminder.