Malaysia Pushes Ahead with Tactical Vehicle Masterplan

AM General HMMWV (photo : Miltech)

Deftech has agreed to a partnership with US vehicle manufacturer AM General to produce light tactical platforms for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and law enforcement organisations, it was confirmed today.

Formally signed at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition on 16 April, the tie-up comprises a co-production, supply and distribution agreement.

The collaboration will see both companies as prime contractor and systems integrator to MAF and law enforcement units for the supply of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and other ‘offerings’ from AM General’s family of light tactical vehicles.

The deal will see the provision of right-hand drive HMMWVs, a feature which AM General recently began to offer to its international customers.  Malaysia currently owns an undisclosed number of HMMWVs in left-hand drive configuration. The vehicles are mounted with automatic grenade launchers or heavy machine guns.


Meanwhile, AM General was exhibiting its latest tactical vehicle- the M1165 (2.0) Deployable Reconnaissance Ground Network-Vehicle- for the first time in Malaysia. Claiming 70 percent commonality with the baseline HMMWV platform, the vehicle is designed to be deployed from cargo helicopters into ‘tight urban and harsh jungle and desert environments’, a company spokesman told Shephard. The vehicle is 2.2m wide, boasts a turning radius of 7.62m and has a top speed of 120kph.

Finally, Deftech confirmed to Shephard that MAF are in the middle of user qualification tests for its 8x8 AV8. Furthermore, MAF have just received the latest sealed pattern variant complete with 30mm weapon system which is expected to commence endurance, mobility and firing tests next month.