SHAH ALAM: IN the article for the supply of 45 e-bikes for the Army, Malaysian Defence wrote that the items being sought may well be electrified scramblers. However based on the sole bidder price for the items, it appears that these may well be electrified bicycles instead.
Yes, an electric scramblers may well be more suited for border patrol work but I am guessing that the allocation to Ordnance Department was too low for those higher-end machines. For recap, the department issued three separate quotation notices for the supply of 15 e-bikes or 45 in total for the Army for use in the northern peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. The notice was published on Eperolehan, on March 12 and closed on March 19.
It is likely the sole bidder had quoted the same cost for each of the three notices, which were RM491,055. This make each e-bike cost around RM33,000 each. Way too low for an electric scrambler though quite pricey to road legal scooters which costs around RM8,800 in Malaysia.
As pointed out in the previous post, while electric bicycles may well be suited for urban setting, patrolling on one in the border areas – in full gear – may not be practical. The only positive part about using electric bicycles is the fact that if the batteries ran out, one could always pedal home back to the base.
As for the NVGs also sought for units operating in northern peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, ten bidders has been shortlisted for each of the three notices. It is likely that the same companies are taking part in the competition as the bid prices are the same for each one.
The lowest bid for the three notices was RM246,000 which is likely a China made NVG. Most of the bids ranged from RM432,000 to RM497,449 which make me to believe that the cost estimate for each notice is RM500,000.
The highest bid was RM552,000. To recap, the three notices was for six NVGs each or 18 in total.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (34)
ridiculous beyond comprehension....
@Marhalim
FYI
On the iphone, clicking on your article, goes to the Arquus advert...its happening again.
So from E Scramblers down to E Mountain bikes? Me thinks maybe its for the staffers to ride around the bases since its too tedious to walk around.
What at waste of money, that could have paid for additional 6 more sets of NVGs which would have made more sense.
There are pro and cons of having electric mountain bikes instead of electric scrambler motorcycles.
getting electric mountain bikes means everyone can operate it, not restricted to those having motorcycle driving licenses.
it should also be of much lighter weight, which makes it easier to use smaller jungle trails, or having to carry it on your back on short distances over obstacles, rivers, boulders etc. Also the fact that it could be pedaled if the battery runs out.
the cons would be not road legal, small load allowance, wheel and tire strength, speed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuZYO9vgY9o
If anyone could ID the Thales NVG in the pic much appreciated. Also appears we’ve replaced the Avon S-10 mask.
Also, prior to the Accuracy International L96 we got in the 1990’s what was the issue sniper rifle? The Enfield L42? Any idea Kel? Nothing to do with understanding what’s “low intensity” BTW.
Some people said it is the Thales Nellie NVG.
I am not sure whether it was the standard sniper rifle, I saw the Parker Hale sniper rifle with a RAMD batallion - could not remember what unit or the actual type, may well be the M85. The soldiers said it was the unit sniper rifle. Wikipedia said the M85 was used by Paskal though I never saw it on them, not saying that the the gun was not issued to the unit. The M85 lost to the the AI in the trials
Like with Eryx and the Milkor we bought the L96 specifically for Bosnia but later batches were added. A few years ago we bought a new rifle from Accuracy International to replace the L96.
I’m very curious what rifle we has in the 1980’s and whether it was the Enfield L42 which the Brits also relied on until getting the L96.
I think we bought Parker Hales of various versions instead of the Enfields...
As far As I know we have these : AI L-96s, AI AX308s, HK MSG-90A1 and Sig Sauer Blaser Tactical II [Army]; AI L-96 and Parker and Hale [RMN]. Unless I'm mistaken the most prolific rifle in the army was the L-96; replaced by the AX308. I had no idea the army had/has Parker and Hales. I do know however that only selected battalion's have a sniper platoon.
Its not really a sniper platoon but the recon unit. There is also the counter recon unit. Most infantry batallion have these, RAMD AFAIK. Not sure about rangers though.
As far as I know during the 1990’s a number of battalions had a sniper element under the direct control of battalion HQ. 10 Para’s snipers I assume would not be limited to the Pathfinders.
Also, I have no idea if the army actually has a “sniper school” per say or is it a case of various units running their own sniper courses.
the Army training command had posted last year about a recon and sniping training at its facility in Port Dickson. Though most are done at unit level.
Even the British army due to funding had to close its NCO school some years ago but is establishing it again. Do we have an NCO school?
Technically only the MAF would have snipers and possibly VAT 69. Other police units and the MMEA would have “marksmen” who are not trained for field craft.; as opposed to “snipers” who are.
Yes, we do it is located at the Army training college in Port Dickson. Though unlike the officers training, not much spotlight is given to it which the reason, I am not sure what kind of training is provided for the NCO.
PULADA has a branch for training snipers & recce personnel.
It is called Cawangan Sniper dan Tinjau (CST Infantri)
All BIS battalions have a sniper section and a recce section embedded into the support company.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKFXzHQaEAAFt11.jpg