PORT DICKSON: 105mm Light Guns Going Airborne. The new Nexter 105mm LG-1 howitzers will requip the 10th Para artillery regiment which currently uses the 105mm pack howitzers. Army chief Gen Zulkiple Kassim says the first batch of guns will be delivered late this year with full delivery expected in 2019.
He did not identify the guns or how many were being bought apart that it will be “a regiment strong”. Malaysian Defence has reported that 18 guns will be purchased, with at least two going to the artillery school in Port Dickson.
Colombian soldiers with their Nexter Systems LG1 105mm howitzer.
Zulkiple also said that the M109 155M Paladin SPH procurement was on schedule and these were currently being upgraded in the US. Asked whether the Army will raise a new regiment to operate the SPH, Zulkiple says not as an existing unit will be taking over the vehicles. He did not identify the unit however. He was speaking to the media after the parade to mark the 85th anniversary at the Army training centre, here today.
MD530 destined for the Malaysian Army on display at the HAI Heli-Expo in Las Vegas
On the MD530G light assault helicopter, Zulkiple again says it was on track though he was probably being careful as he did not say when it was being delivered. As you’re aware, the delivery dates of the helicopter had been announced in the past but those had been proven wrong as none of the rotary birds have been delivered so far.
The MD530G fitted with the FN Herstal rocket machine gun pod and a Gatling. This is a likely weapon configuration for the LAH.
Anyhow, MD Helicopters had showcase one of the MD530G destined for the Army at the HAI Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The exhibited helicopter was painted in digital camo though not very similar to the Nuri and A109 LOH in service with the Army Air Wing.
The MD530G displayed at HAI Heli-Expo is also fitted with the twin Hellfire missile launcher on its starboard pylon. The Army did not purchased the Hellfires.
Reporters at the exhibition stated that although the helicopter was an airframe destined for the Malaysia, the avionics and equipment may well be fitted just for the show. One of them are two Hellfire missiles fitted on the pylon of the helicopter.
The cockpit of the MD530G displayed at the HAI Heli-Expo. Similar avionics are probably fitted to the Malaysian Army ones. MD Helicopters.
As for the delivery dates, I was told recently two were supposed to be here by late 2018. Whether or not the dates will be kept is beyond me. It was reported today by Shepard that the first helicopter will be delivered in June with the rest by August.
* updated to add link to Shepard story on delivery date of the MD530G
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (46)
Well that was expected.
Now:
- how many gun are bought? It should be at least 20, 18 for 1 RAD PARA, 2 for PUSARTI
- How much did it cost? A nexter gun was sold for usd0.8-1mil each before.
- will the replaced oto melara pack howitzers of 1 RAD PARA be used to create a new regiment for 1st division? Seems like the 6 RAD in lok kawi will fall under the new 5th division. Or an existing RAD bantuan rapat regiment will be transferred to sarawak?
- It will be a regiment of 4 batteries, each comprising 4 guns, plus a HQ. Many have gone for 4 gun batteries as they're easier to control.
- My guess is that the unit's Model 56s are too worn out to be transferred anywhere and will be retired and stripped for anything reusable.
- Wonder what ballistic computers/devices the army will get for use with the LG1s.
Btw happy 85th birthday malaysian army!
Off topic
Indonesia has bought Vera-e NG system to be placed in Natuna island, between sarawak and semenanjung.
But now It was suppose by april 2018 for the delivery of MD-530G. Nice Camo and Great Armament. I hope we can Buy more MD-530G deapite being Late.
The 105mm LG1 Should be Signed by Next month. I was wondering if The army really want ti replace all Mod 56 Since OTO Melara shut down the production. Is the M119 will be the Main gun For All Artillery Regiment. Even M777 should be replace both FH-70 and G5 Howitzer since it went to the 20s but for now. Let's just wait for Next Year.
Safran,
Parts for the Model 56 are still available from the OEM and other suppliers. The problem is not a lack of spares but its lack of robustness. Not suitable for extended fire and easily damaged when towed over rough terrain. The FH-70s were retired many years ago and there is no urgent need to retire the G-5s.
Safran "The 105mm LG1 Should be Signed by Next month."
How did you know that?
"I was wondering if The army really want ti replace all Mod 56 Since OTO Melara shut down the production."
We do keep a lot of things in service after the end of production because the OEMs are still supplying parts.
"Is the M119 will be the Main gun For All Artillery Regiment. Even M777 should be replace both FH-70 and G5 Howitzer since it went to the 20s but for now. Let’s just wait for Next Year."
It would be ideal if we could standardize on 155mm and remain on a 105/155mm mix as other armies have done and are doing. We're obviously not going for this, but there is still a chance to standardize on 155mm outside of airborne units when the M56s (they won't last forever) are gradually retired.
As I've said before, longer range guns will let us cover the same frontage with fewer guns and crew. 155mm projectiles meanwhile are still benefiting from ongoing development in range and the variety of payload.
Weight and logistics are always an issue with airborne guns. Guns are getting lighter- the M777 is air droppable and weighs almost half less than the M198 it replaced in the US and Australia. The issue is how easily we can move it, its ammunition and the mover's fuel around after it is dropped or landed. Keep in mind that it is much heavier than the M56.
Anyway, we've heard nothing about M119. Btw the G5 has a longer range than the M777 because it has a longer barrel (45 vs 39 calibre).
The current artileri organisation
with 105mm oto melara pack howitzers
1 RAD para melaka
2 RAD johor
3 RAD perak
4 RAD negeri sembilan
5 RAD kelantan
6 RAD sabah
7 RAD pahang
with 155mm g5
21 RAD Negeri Sembilan
with astros
51 RAD Negeri Sembilan
52 RAD Perak
The only existing unit with 155mm would be the 21 RAD. Will the M109 replace the G5? Or 21 RAD will get the M109 with a new 22 RAD taking over the G5? Will the M109 really be sent to sabah, or more realistically integrated with mechanized and armour elements in the peninsular?
About the little birds
MD helicopters has a history of using camouflage wraps for HAI Heli-expo show. The camouflage for the malaysian MD530G displayed at the show would probably be stickers too. I don't see any technical problems with the helicopters, so what is the paperwork issue that is holding it back then? BTW some of the systems on the MD530G, especially the weapons management system (WMS), could also be fitted to the PC-7 Mk1 for CAS mission. That WMS supplier has even tested them on PC-7 Mk1 before.
Reply
Unfortunately I cannot say anything about the reason for the delays
another option would be
7 RAD in Kuantan to be equipped with M109 (nearer to the Mechanized elements) and renamed to 22 RAD. A new 7 RAD to be stood up in sarawak with oto melaras.
more on the MD530G
The WMS shown in the Malaysian Army MD530G at HAI Heli-expo 2018 is different to what shown in LIMA (that was fitted with MOOG SMS stores management system). Well it (the left and right landscape multifunction screens in the cockpit picture) is more advanced than the MOOG SMS, but probably cheaper with the use of off the shelf parts.
With all the changes, will the Thales Scorpion HMD still be fitted to the MD530G?
Reply
I have no idea
AM - '' there is still a chance to standardize on 155mm outside of airborne units when the M56s (they won’t last forever) are gradually retired.
Yes but I doubt it. My feeling is that they'll still maintain 105s, long after the Model 56s are sold for scrap, by getting a new gun. The advantage in having 105s, apart from costs and weight issues, compared to 155s is that they tend to have a higher sustained rate and 105mm ammo, being smaller will be easier to transport. Others will point out that 155s have a range advantage but then range might not always be a concern.
.... - ''A new 7 RAD to be stood up in sarawak with oto melaras.''
We use to keep some Model 56s as 'war reserves' but I doubt it's enough to equip a whole regiment.