SHAH ALAM: In the recent post on equipment delivered to the Army, Malaysian Defence stated that the Cendana Auto SF-21X Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) looked slightly different from the one that was displayed at DSA 2022. I was told this by people who attended the show as I did not attend it due to Covid 19.
Well, anyhow, the biggest differences were the rear gunner position which in the DSA 2022 vehicle had the spare tyre behind it. On the production vehicle, the spare tyre was move to the port side, allowing the rear gunner to be equipped with a machine gun as well.
The left front gunner position also had its gun mount moved inside the cabin allowing to fire it forward, left and right. On the SOV at DSA 2022, the gun is mounted on the left of the front crew, allowing it to be fired to the left.
Cendana Auto SF-21X SOV.
Pictures from DSA 2022.
It must be noted that SOV displayed at DSA 2022 had just been redelivered to Cendana Auto after trials with the GGK, the intended operator. The changes on the production vehicle had taken into account the feedback from the operator. Some of changes sought however, cannot be fulfilled as they were beyond the funds allocated for the project.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (37)
It’s unarmoured?
Yup
Should have chosen a platform with rear coils rather than leaf spring...like the land rovers. Less bouncy and less body roll.
Dunno if you can shoot and hit at anything from the back of that sov if you are on the move.
Hasnan - “Dunno if you can shoot and hit at anything from the back of that sov if you are on the move”
Only if the vehicle is moving very slowly and engaging targets at close distances and which are as large as barn doors. Also helps if the target is not returning fire.
For me the question is whether the vehicles are merely to enable a form of transport when conducting recce [e.g. the Para Regiment’s Pathfinders and its vehicles] or to engage targets from within whilst performing “hit and run” raids [e.g. Popski’s Private Army and LRDG and SAS ops in North Africa and Europe]. I believe the primary purpose of these vehicles is the former.
Three questions arise; 1. Which is more ideal; a smaller less protected and visible 4x4 or a larger but better protected vehicle with better mobility; like the JLTV 4x4 or Supacat 6x6? 2. Is it fitted with muffled exhausts? 3. Shouldn’t 10 Para’s Pathfinders also be equipped with such vehicles?
@Hasnan
Ultimately this is based upon Hilux chassis, nothing much that Cendana can do unless Toyota has a coil spring version of their pickup. The only truck I know using rear coil overs are Nissan Navara.
You are right Jo...these truck are based on Hilux. They dismantled those Hilux and re-built it at their factory in Semenyih.
As GGK will normally operate deep behind enemy lines, i would prefer their ride to look as stock and as civilian as possible from 20-50m away. A full custom rig like the cendana auto will automatically scream GGK by anyone who looks at it.
As for rear coils, there are plenty of aftermarket conversions available for the Hilux chassis.
... - “GGK will normally operate deep behind enemy lines, i would prefer their ride to look as stock and as civilian as possible from 20-50m away”
Yes but ”deep behind enemy lines” the likelihood of civilians driving around in civilian vehicles in the midst of an active war
is slim. Also I think it’s more realistic to assume that the unit will be operating in the enemy’s operational rather than strategic depth.
P.S.
Not to mention that the enemy might be on the lookout for the possibility of enemy troops in the rear and might have introduced a no go area for civilians or a curfew.
Again the question arises : are such vehicles primarily to enable a form of transport for troops conducting deep recce or for troops to fight from whilst conducting raids? It will be safe to say or assume it’s a combination of both; depending on the operational requirement. Also safe to assume that like other similar units the unit has plans in place to operate civilian transport. Another interesting question is does the unit maintain stocks of foreign camo to be worn above national camo for certain roles?
@hulubalang
"plenty of aftermarket conversions available for the Hilux chassis."
Indeed but these are not OEM tested & certified to car making standards hence reliability, durability & guarantee of parts availability will be questionable. From the Govt POV they are buying OEM vehicles so warranty & support is a must, any aftermarket parts issue will be upon the vendor but moreso any unreliability issues will be faced by the endusers.
"driving around in civilian vehicles in the midst of an active war"
Haha yup. Unless we are in Africa and combatants travel around in Hiluxes too.
Hulubalang - “GGK will normally operate deep behind enemy lines, i would prefer their ride to look as stock and as civilian as possible from 20-50m away”.
LOL! You watch too much war movies and assume GGK's M.O is like Sayeret Duvdevan or SAS where the enemy is just in the next district or state within Malaysia.