SHAH ALAM: Back in March this year, Malaysian Defence wrote that the Army intent to procure some one hundred combat buggies to augment the scramblers in reconnaissance platoons of the infantry units. The extra capacity of the combat utes will allow scouts to carry more equipment and cover more distances.
And today, the Procurement Division of the Defence Ministry published a tender for the supply and delivery of one hundred High Mobility Reconnaisance Vehicle (HRMV) for the Army. The HRMV is part of the 733 support vehicles for the Army and paid for by the 2024 budget. Although the public portion of the specifications did not say that they are looking for combat buggies, checks with industry sources confirmed it.
The public specifications of the tender:
PEROLEHAN MEMBEKAL DAN MENGHANTAR HIGH MOBILITY RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE (HMRV) KENDERAAN SOKONGAN TENTERA DARAT
In the previous post I also wrote that the Polaris MRZR light tactical all=terrain vehicle will be the favourite and it showed up at the DSA 2024.
Other contenders for the tender will be the China Desert Cross 1000.3 combat ute and the Chaiseri light tactical vehicle (LTV). Unlike the MRZR with two or four seats variants, the Desert Cross can carry three soldiers and a load bed. The Chaiseri one has four seats and a small load bed in the rear. That said only the MRZR and the Desert Cross have been used in combat.
Apart from the HMRV, another support vehicle being sought by the Army is a single CBRN command vehicle. The specifications for it:
There is a requirement for the Malaysian Army (MA)
to be equipped with Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear (CBRN) Command Vehicle that can provide on-site
command and control capabilities through situational
awareness, communication, and coordination during CBRN
incidents, disasters, and emergencies.It shall have
the following: (a) Vehicle. (b)
CBRN Prediction System. (c)
Surveillance System. (d)
CBRN Protection System. (e)
Decontamination
Based on the public specifications above, I am guessing that the configuration of the vehicle chosen will be similar to the command vehicles which were tendered out by the Army. These will involve a prime mover with the command-and-control system housed in a mobile trailer. I stand to be corrected of course.
The Army is also seeking to buy twenty-five assault boats in a tender published on September 23. Unlike in the past where the assault boats are bought with accessories including out-board motors but without the trailers, this time around bidders need to supply the complete set.
There is a requirement for Assault Boat Complete System (ABCS)
to transport a fully equipped Infantry Section with a crew. The boat
shall be of ‘Vee’ bottom type equipped with Outboard Motor (OBM)
and suitable for high-speed performance, has excellent
manoeuvrability and stability characteristics. The ABCS is
transported from one location to another during operation by using
Boat Trailer
–Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (12)
733 vehicles hmm? The Govt will want these to be locally assembled looking that even 18 units light arty can be contracted out for local involvement.
Looking at the requirement, can a stripped down Cendana carrier with tube framed body suited for this?
Another thing, will it be required to be EV as well since it should be complementing the Ebike scramblers? No point having a quiet bike but running together with noisy buggies.
The Polaris utes are quiet even with petrol engines. The other two I have no idea.
Hope polaris will be the one selected and not the chinese golf cart
From 733 support vehicles that be sought, 587 already tendered (including this new 100 buggies). So 146 more to go.
By right every not only every battalion should have as recce element equipped with ''buggies'' an scramblers but Brigade HQ as well. To be used not only for recce per see but also as an operational reserve and a light screen. The Sings have a similar unit; able to perform recce; call in arty and other things. Forgot what the unit is called.
On another matter we come up with bizarre acronyms. ''Assault Boat Complete System (ABCS)''?
Since the cost if the HMLAV will be reimbursed by the UN, why is it taking so long to procure those vehicles?
Same thing happened with the MRAPs procurement to finally select the Ejder Yalcin Pantheras
IMO
Buggys should be diesel powered. less volatile fuel, common with hiluxes, 3 tonners, armored vehicles. To be honest, rather than buggies, i would prefer infantry regiment recce element to be on electric bikes (able to use jungle footpath trails), supported by 1-ton GS Cargo pickups
Diesel buggies are heck noisy when running at full speed tho.
The Army trying to get another American made stuff I see.
Well maybe they get lucky this time around.
LOL..we dont have our set of mind do we?why must follow the "mat saleh" they use buggy with open top we follow.our weather is eratic in the tropics,rain n wet,none of us armchair generals experience drenched to the boots yet have to hike up n down hills,its very comfortable i must say..LOL,let alone sitting in an open buggy now n then have to ensure the radios functioning etc etc..bottom line is get a buggy fully covered that are able to carry ebike plus supplies,not those fancy beach buggy.
The chinese buggy is covered. Got 3 seater and 6 seater...and pickup bed. Not cheap though. Commercial version USD25k
Much cheaper than the Polaris..