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MCRS Coming Home Soon

An Iveco Daily MRCS vehicle with its antenna deployed during a recent training session in late 2022. RSD

SHAH ALAM: It appears that a new batch of Multi-Channel Radio System (MCRS) for the Army’s Rejimen Semboyan Di Raja (RSD) is expected to be shipped home soon. This is based on the publication of a tender to ship the MRCS on November 24.

The tender is described on the Eperolehan website as

Perkhidmatan Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO) Untuk Kontrak Perolehan Membekal, Menghantar, Menguji Dan Mentauliah Multi Channel Radio System (MCRS) Untuk Tentera Darat

RSD personnel training on a MCRS. RSD

Unfortunately, the public part of the MTO tender did not reveal from where the MRCS will be shipped from. But its likely from a port in Norway. Last June Malaysian Defence reported that Army chief General Zamrose Mohd Zain visited Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace company in Asker, Norway, specifically for the MRCS procurement.
An Army Iveco Daily 4X4 MCRS going through the off-road circuit. BTDM

The Army even stated

Tan Sri PTD juga telah mengutarakan beberapa isu seperti pembekalan ‘Multi Channel Radio System’ (MCRS) yang akan datang perlu mematuhi segala terma yang termaktub di dalam kontrak, setiap peralatan yang dibekalkan hendaklah memenuhi keperluan operasi dan teknikal terkini untuk Tentera Darat, masa pembekalan (lead time) terutamanya alat ganti perlu dikurangkan dan sekiranya wujud keperluan untuk kemaskini sistem pada masa akan datang perlulah berada pada tahap yang optimum tanpa melibatkan banyak birokrasi antara agensi tempatan dengan OEM serta tiada bebanan kewangan yang melampau.

The then Army General Hasbulah Nawawi signing a plaque to mark MCRS for the Third Division RSD in January 2019. RSD

It is likely the Kongsberg’s MCRS will have to work with an older MCRS procured around 2017 and declared operational on November 3 2018. For the new MRCS, the tender for the supply, deliver, test and commissioning, was published in August 2020 and the contract was awarded to Softlabs Technologies Sdn Bhd for RM64.8 million.
Crew of the Iveco Daily MCRS preparing to use the winch. BTDM

Áccording to Softlabs website

it is a local provider of reliable and secure communication radio relay system in band 4 and band 3+ that could provide up to 100 Mbit/s IP and TDM with multiple ECCM/EPM methods to ensure communication in harsh environments. The radio could be mounted on top of the mast close to the antenna without indoor unit or the radio is indoor with only antenna mounted on the mast. The radio can be connected directly to an IP router/switch via an Ethernet cable or fiber optic up to 1km distance. The radio is fully configured and managed remotely through the Communication Management System (CMS)

A MCRS Iveco Daily vehicle in its deployed configuration together with a dismountable radio shelter. RSD

Softlabs also said it provided services to other services of the Malaysian Armed Forces as well as local companies in various fields.

— Malaysian Defence

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Marhalim Abas: Shah Alam