SHAH ALAM: During the Merdeka Day parade, rehearsals and the actual event, I was intrigued with pictures of GGK/Special Forces Group carrying M4A1 carbines with M-Lok handgrips, laser sights, muzzle devices and reflex sights.
Initially I thought that the carbines may well be donated by the US, just like the KAC M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper rifles carried by Paskal operators. I initially posted that the M110s were likely to be sniper rifles procured by the RMN, just like the Army purchased some 20 Barret M107 anti-materiel rifles. The M110s were donated by the US, I was told, after I published the post on the parade though.
I asked around about GGK carbines whether it was also donated but my sources replied in the negative. Thankfully I could still identify some of the sights based on the markings on them and pictures posted on the GGK social media pages. They are Ultra Shot A-Spec reflex sights manufactured by Texas-based manufacturer, Sight Mark. As Sight Mark also manufacturers laser sights, the ones fitted on the GGK M4A1 may well be sourced from the company. I stand to be corrected of course. It is interesting to note that the GGK combat diver carbines are fitted with optics which looked like the ACOG sights but their handguards and muzzle devices are the same with the others.
As for the M-Lok handgrips and muzzle devices, I was stumpped. Thankfully for the Armed Forces Day demonstration and parade on October 5, a clear picture of the GGK M4A1 carbines fitted with the hand-grips was published on social media of the services (picture below).
The M-lok handgrip and muzzle devices were sourced from Ferfrans by a local company via a quotation notice. ESSCOM and the police are equipped with Ferfrans – a California based company – assault rifles though.
It is likely the reflex sights and the laser lights were supplied through another quotation notice as they were seen on GGK M4A1 carbines by June this year. They may have been supplied much earlier unlike the handgrips and muzzle devices which were only seen publicly in August.
I was told that the GGK upgrades may well be the last one for the M4A1s as the Army may well opt for new assault rifles in RMK13. What they are going to buy is beyond me. Whatever AR is procured it may be wise for the Army to buy a small batch of rifles specifically to meet the needs of the GGK instead of funding incremental upgrades in the future as with the current situation. Standard issue AR could also be supplied to the regiment for training and ceremonial duties as well.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (44)
What is your personal opinion Marhalim. Putting aside the fact that ties between SME/NADI and Steyr went sour; would you have preferred we continue with the AUG 1; switched to the AUG 3 as was the plan or replace the AUG? If not the M-4; what would you have preferred to replace the AUG?
When we with the M4 there not many options for us, really. The M4A1 is a good weapon but going for the standard version without even the picatinny rail was wrong.
They should have stayed with the AUG 3 really.
The irony was we went from a gun with optics to a gun relying on iron sights. I remember how the Trijicon people were hoping for a major order via their agent whom they weren't very happy with but instead got a small order.
With the AUG; as you know it wasn't the 1st choice but Colt was unable to allow licensed production for the M16A2; our 1st choice. I wonder how PASKAU is doing with its SIGs.
They are still using it but it appears M4s with rails and other stuff are now the preferred choice.
Those with the ferfrans M-LOK handguards are equipped with ferfrans CQD muzzle device but with the Concussive Reduction Device (CRD) not installed.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GbR-qksakAALsac.jpg
This is a pic with the CRD installed
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FRAn1.jpg
The stock is from THRiL CCS (Combat Competition Stock), the grip is THRiL RTG (Rugged Tactical AR Grip)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GbR-rr2bYAAP6Ad.jpg
For RMK13 2026-2030 the army has many other priorities to be fulfilled rather than spending the little money that we have to be wasted to replace something that is still perfectly usable.
Things like long range precision strike, something that tentera darat currently has zero capability whatsoever.
What do you think of the Caracal vs current M4A1 in use? The weakness of M4/M16 platform is well known and the short stroke on the Caracal supposedly correct its most major flaw. Me thinks its too early for a rifle change as USA have just started to finally switching over to XM7 with a different calibre. If we change now we may have to make another switch in 10 years time to align with NATO std (when they too switches to 6.8mm).
I have no preferences over a piston gun and non piston one. That said a piston gun is usually heavier than a non piston one.
I believed the 6.8mm cartridge should be good for LMG but not as an AR especialy with our smaller built soldiers.
I don't think 6.8mm rounds would be an issue with regards to the physical size of the average soldier. We use to have SLRs with a larger round and the days when sections had to operate on foot for days on end are largely over. There is also a much greater degree of mechanisation and motorisation compared to the days of the 2nd Emergency.
Its not just the rounds, but of course, the gun itself. Yes, SLR were used in the 1960s to 1970s (gifted by the British) but seeing how fast they ditch them that when 5.56mm guns were available, makes one wonder the utility of moving to a heavier gun.
The reason for going with heavier calibre ammo is due to 5.56mm now is ineffective against modern body armour and hence lower lethality stopping power. No point sticking to an outmoded ammo calibre. Yes the SIG round will be more cumbersome but if it kills with lesser round, a soldier dont need to carry as much ammo as for M4.
The current conflicts in Gaza, South Lebanon and Ukraine show that the 5.56mm are lethal enough.
This was the justification for changing to a heavier calibre: "The SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR (the rifle's commercial designation) is chambered in the 6.8×51mm (.277 in) SIG Fury cartridge in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of ammunition such as the 5.56×45mm"
That is the justification of the US Army. They are expecting to fight with peer enemy. Will we be fighting the same enemy?
Were the SLRs gifted it bought? The ones we had were Enfield made but the heavy barrels came from Lithgow.
Also, did we replace the SLR because of weight and length issues with the gun itself or because we wanted to standardise to 5.56mm?
Ironically despite all the efforts in getting the right calibre and gun; the main casualties in Ukraine [like in all major wars] are fron arty and mortars, not small arms.
AFAIK some were gifted. Yes, the Army saw the results - not the early ones - of the use of M16s/AR15s in Vietnam and the SAS in Malaya/Sarawak and saw the need the change to a much smaller rifle/ammo.
Yes but the fighting there showed that 5.56 ammo are good enough.
@ marhalim
Yes the justification by us army is that body armor is getting better and need to hit at longer ranges as what they experienced in Afghanistan.
But as seen in real life, russian (that is the USA assumed "peer" enemy) body armor is sh!t. Rifles are still mostly used in firefights of 100m or less. And the main infantry killer on the battlefield are artillery sharpnels (still is for many years) and now kamikaze FPV drones.
TDM has so little artillery, zero long range precision attack systems, and no plans yet (not seen any) to embrace FPV attack drones (only mortar dropping prototypes seen). Yet it seems that a replacement for the still usable M4 is to be a priority in TDM RMK13 spendings rather than looking at things such as long range precision strike and FPV attack drones.
One interesting M4/M16 upgrade to me at least is the PSA Jakl
It uses a normal M4/M16 lower receiver combined with a piston-driven upper that transforms a normal M4/M16 into something like the SCAR but with a much lower cost.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLzIaceW0AAPL5g.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7nyJqrX0AA3u3u.jpg
Probably something we can do, converting many of the old non-m4 into something like this, with folding stock so that it is much more compact for paratroopers and mechanised troops use.