SHAH ALAM: THE Army conducted its annual Firepower Exercise at the Asahan range at the Kem Sirajuddin in Gemas yesterday. The exercise was previously called Firepower Demonstration in the past but this year its designation was changed to better reflect its role as the Army’s main live firing exercise.
As I was unable to make it to Gemas – due to various reasons – I am posting pictures from the exercise and rehearsal courtesy of Kementerian Pertahanan and Tentera Darat Facebook pages. If you want to see more pictures please head to the respective pages. The captions of the pictures used here are mine however.
I doubt I will get more information about the Army plans by going to the exercise as those who are in the know will be busy with the VIPs. This time around, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Johari Baharum was the VIP.
However it can be inferred from the above picture that the Army is planning to use its Nuri helicopters as a battlefield taxi much like when it was used during the 70s and 80s. We can also also infer that by 2030, the Army might need a new 10-tonne class helicopters to replace the Nuris. This is of course depends on whether or not the current Army plans survived the trials and tribulations of the next 15 years.
It must be noted that a host of Army equipment and vehicles will be up for replacement in 15 years time. Even the soon to be upgraded Condors and Scorpions are unlikely to be around past 2030, like most of us here.
Apart from the Nuri, the PUTD AW109 helicopter also made an appearance firing the M134 Dillion mini-gun.
And as usual, the RMAF also conducted live bombings at the range as part of the exercise with Hornets and Flankers conducting bombing runs.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (50)
Its quite sudden to see they make live fire exercise rather than just demonstration.
Either way, hope the army has some best candidates in their mind to replace the Nuris before 2030s.
Note that the pendekar mbt is covered with the saab barracuda camouflage netting system. Although the system has been in the army inventory for quite sometime, IMO this is the first time it is officially and publicly shown in an exercise.
The vehicles that is needed to be replaced would be the sibmas, scorpion and ferret, not because of old age, but because it would not be relevant to be used on the front line with the future operational doctrines. Sibmas should be replaced with batch 2 gempitas. Scorpion and ferret should be replaced by a single type of lightweight air portable armoured vehicle. Condors, because if its huge numbers, COTS spareparts and basic armoured taxi role, could stay on for much longer.
Btw no gempitas on show?
Reply
There's one with a 25mm turret that took part. The other vehicles have all been sent to ESSCOM
No Deftech AV8 Gempita in this exercise. Any news about that?
Reply
There was a single Gempita
As for the future battlefield transport helicopters for the PUTD, it would be a no brainer to just add more blackhawks as a replacement of the nuri and to add to the 4 blackhawks from brunei.
Just watch "fury" movie bout ww2 tanks in nazi germany... armoured vehicle very important in war...
Hope our politician watch this kind of story..im ready to protect this country but please provide our troop with the best equipment and in adequate number.
Tanks, av8, apc, ifv ,mobile artillery,rpg , sam....please increase the number and spread it equally east n west msia.
War doesnt determine who is right,only who is left.
50 tanks + 257 av8 for whole malaysia?
Reply
A movie even based on real events are more like video games instead of the real thing.
For as long as it can still be operated, the Scorpion does have a relevant role to play; especially for roles like armed recce and flank screening. I don't see how ''future operational doctrines'' might not have a need for a light weight tracked vehicle. Instead of retiring the Sibmas as the AV-8 gradually enters service; some hulls can be converted for roles such as engineering and perhaps even as an AA vehicle; fitted with a missile mount. I was under the impression that the only Ferrets still operated are the pair used for ceremonial duties; in the digital scheme.
AFM has a pic of the 2nd of 5 PC-7 Mk2s ordered in 2014. It has a new colour scheme based on a red background. There is also an interesting article on the RAF's 100 Squadron which operates legacy Hawks for a variety of roles including aggressor and JTAC training; which if anything only highlights the flexibility of the Hawk. 100 Squadron's motto is ''Saran Tebuan Jangen Dojolok''.
Reply
AFM probably got the picture from aircraft spotters in Switzerland as I had asked Pilatus for the picture but they asked me to get it from RMAF.
I did not say there is no need of a lightweight tracked vehicle. The problem here there is only about 15 remaining operational scorpions left in the inventory. Also the scorpion has lost its amphibious capability so that is also a handicap. A newer more modern lightweight air portable amphibious armoured vehicle is needed in larger numbers than just 15, at least double that number.
The armed recce and flank screening in the future armoured calvary would be the task of the gempitas. Recce could also be done by recce versions of vamtac such as this, UAV's and troops on motorcross bikes.
http://www.janes.com/images/assets/654/59654/1678807_-_main.jpg
Very nice, I wish videos of the firings were available.
Sir, for ages I've been trying to reconcile the variously reported variant numbers for the AV8 Gempita and I believe I've found the answer, could you please check with your Mindef sources if it is so, or failing that see if we can get a correct answer once and for all?
46 IFV-25 amphib with FNSS 25mm Bushmaster turret
78 IFV-30 Denel 30mm cannon turrets (not 68, 69, 122 or 123)
54 IFV-30 Denel 30mm cannon turrets with 4 Ingwe ATGMs
24 Ground surveillance variant with Rogue 12.7mm RWS
8 120mm mortar variant with Rogue 12.7mm RWS
13 Command variants with Rogue 12.7mm RWS*
9 Armoured recovery vehicles with Rogue 12.7mm RWS
(total 54 Rogue RWS as reported by SIPRI)
9 armoured ambulance, unarmed
9 maintenance vehicle, unarmed*
4 engineering and NBC vehicle, unarmed*
3 SIGINT vehicle, unarmed
257 Adnan total
*Possibly the 13 command variants are unarmed and the RWS is mounted on the maintenance and engineering vehicles, but I personally find this unlikely.
Also, now that Indonesia and Thailand are receiving their Leopards and Oplots, any idea if we will purchase more long-range ATGMs for our infantry battalions? We have spent 100s of millions of ringgit on missiles for 8 F-18s, 36 MIGs and Sukhois and 36 Hawks, but ignored the long-range anti-tank capability other than the Ingwes and (how many?) Baktar Shikan. Syria and Yemen have combat-proven the defensive power of man-portable long-range ATGMs.
Not because we are seeking trouble, merely for insurance... if not Kornet, maybe see if France will sell us their new Missile Moyenne Portee?
Also I think your spambot catcher is not working well, I have difficulty getting past it.
The old ifv /personnel carriers still have a use especially in Sabah. These can be used as a armoured taxi for troops during border patrols n in anti terrorist work. Its there , cheap n useful.
Actually, it would be better if we can add say like 10 turrets equipped with the Saab manufactured turrets armed with one or two 120mm mortars thats loaded automatically. Its a real firepower addition. By varying the angle after every shot, it can make all rounds drop at or almost the same time covering the map square with devastating firepower. Just a wish. Not likely to be fulfilled
@ Chua
I think your breakdown is the most logical that I have seen so far.
Wish that the army could allocate most of the gempita for the armoured corps. Could mitigate the low numbers for now with a 50-50 mix of gempita (30mm and 30mm+ingwe) and upgraded condor. Probably 28 gempita and 28 condor for each armoured corps regiment
A second hand buy of used kifv/adnan/m113 could be used to top up the mechanized infantry battalions. Engineering, fitter and other support variants could be made from that and condors.
http://www.trackjam.com/photos/mtve.jpg