SHAH ALAM: It appears that the equipment, vehicles, and firearms which the Army took delivery has been distributed down to its units. We can see the combat boats, rubber dinghies and boat trailers with Army units already.
The other items, vehicles from three-tonne trucks to weapon carriers could now be seen operated by Army units. They are not publicising them of course but if you trawl Facebook, you could see them some of which I am posting here.
It is interesting to note that one unit – 4 Rejimen Renjer DiRaja – has taken delivery of almost all new vehicles procured within the last two years or so. Similar units like 4 RRD has also taken delivery of the same equipment and vehicles though they have not posted them yet on their social media sites.
I do not keep track of the unit’s TOE, but I believed other infantry units – not mechanised or paras – have received the same vehicles and equipment. At least, units under the Western Field Command. Eastern Field Command infantry units are likely to receive them this year as these equipment and vehicles need to be shipped to Sabah and Sarawak first. This was the case with the Cendana Auto FFR, first we saw them with units in Semenanjung but in 2023, many of them could be seen with units in Sabah and Sarawak.
And they are not limited to the divisional, and brigade specific units but the regular infantry units as well.
What will happen to vehicles retired from the regular units then? As the second line infantry units are not numerous as the regular infantry ones – RMR and RRD – it is likely that these vehicles will be refurbished at the central depot with some returned to service with the mechanised units especially the three tonne trucks.
Some of the vehicles will be returned to service with the Rejimen Sempadan battalions and the territorial units. The rest will be kept as spare source to keep these vehicles running for at least a decade or so.
Happy New Year, every one.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (98)
"And they are not limited to divisional, and brigade attached units but regular infantry units as well"
All regular infantry battalions (RAMD, RRD, RS) are attached to a brigade, and each brigade is attached to a division.
For example 26 RAMD is attached to 13th Infantry Brigade. 13th Infantry Brigade in turn is attached to 5th Division.
5 RAMD is attached to 7th Infantry Brigade. 7th Infantry Brigade in turn is attached to 3rd Division. 5 RAMD should be one of the battalions that will receive the KARAOK ATGM as it was previously armed with the Metis-M.
4 RRD is attached to 6th Infanty Brigade. 6th Infantry Brigade in turn is attached to 2nd Division.
So basically, each Batalion Infanteri Standard will get 1 Cendana Auto FFR, 6 x Weapon Carriers (Cendana or Westar), assorted 1 ton GS Cargo vehicles and a couple of 3 ton Cargo truck....plus scramblers and ATVs
There will be at least 6 FFR per unit actually, 6 weapons and 6 mortar vehicles, around a dozen or so 1 tonne GS Cargo and around six 3 tonnes.
Question; if it's auto mortar, why were the mortar placed on the tarmac.
The vehicle is the mortar carrier, it is fired on the ground, outside the vehicle. It has been that case since the 50s actually. We have not yet move to firing the mortar from the vehicle, which needs a different vehicle and mortar.
Question: With the mortar carriers, why 81mm and not 120mm?
No idea, I will ask around. But its likely due to weight issues. 120mm mortars are big buggers to be carrying around.
"Some of the vehicles will be returned to service with the Rejimen Sempadan battalions and the territorial units."
I hope the Condors will be one of them as we have plenty to go around and they are good enough for such secondary troop transports role with semblance better protection than softskin trucks.
Nope, the Condors will not be returned to service.
Question. Are the army will buy more cendana rover to replace all old assets likes g wagon and land rover?
It is likely the G-Wagons will be replaced by the Cendana Auto weapon carriers. Do note at the current number of Cendana Auto Weapon Carrier, contracted, they could be issued to twelve units, if its four vehicles per unit. As for the Landys, they will be replaced by the one-tonne GS cargo trucks and the Cendana Auto FFR.
BIS structure
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCz-uk6aMAAFobj.jpg
mortars are in KOMP BANTUAN - PL MOR. usually 6x 81mm mortars
The diagram above is old, probably changed a bit now.
Currently contract for Cendana auto
70x Fitted For Radio (FFR) vehicles (40 M'sia, 30 UNIFIL)
49x ARTAC Armed Tactical Ground Vehicles
72x MT-815 81mm mortar transporters
the MT-815 mortar vehicles are enough for 12 infantry battalions.
Currently minus Para (3x RAMD, 1x RRD), Mech (3x RAMD, 1x RRD), Ceremonial (1x RAMD, 1x RRD), there are 20 RAMD infantry battalions and 8 RRD infantry battalions.
if current 72 mortar vehicles enough for 12, then 96 more needs to be bought to equip another 16 battalions.
As for 120mm towed mortars, if want free items, USMC has retired all of theirs. This is one of a few 120mm mortars that is rifled (umlike most that is smoothbore) like our 120mm mortars on Adnan and Gempita. There should be around 66 units . We can also request their 120mm rifled mortar rounds.
@hulubalang
What is the atgm used by the platun AKK of the BIS? I am assuming AKK means Anti Kereta Kebal.
US Army are planning to retire hundred plus of Lima Blackhawks est each for USD $2mil (RM 9mil)
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/12/20/us-army-to-trim-black-hawk-helicopter-fleet/
A fleet of 12 units to rebuild PUTD haulage force will only need RM 108mil a small dent on TDM 2024 DE of RM 1.1 Bil, and these are choppers fresh from active service so they are still functional with minimal refurbishment required. However it is likely these lacks the digital cockpit and subsequent performance enhancements of Mike variant so might need to pay more for the upgrades but even if it tops up to RM 200mil for dozen improved choppers is still far less expensive than buying brand new. This will tie in very well with TDM miserly budget, their urgent need for hauling birds, their lack of attention (hence lack of budget) for the PUTD arm, and they will have more money for their other more priority buys.
I have been told previously that the leasing contract is the only money the Army going to spend on PUTD medium lift helicopters for the next four years.