SHAH ALAM: Back in February, I reported that High Point Worldwide Sdn Bhd was awarded the contract to supply and deliver eighty Weapons Carrier/Kenderaan Pembawa Senjata, Automatic Grenade Launcher. I also wrote that High Point is likely to get the contract to supply and deliver eighty-three KPS, heavy machine-gun.
This is because the Army had awarded the same companies in previous weapon carrier vehicles contracts from Deftech, Global Komited and Cendana Auto. It must be said that there were also the Vamtac and KIA KPS previously, but they were not widely distributed as the numbers procured were small.
Checks with Eperolehan yesterday showed that indeed High Point was awarded the contract for the eighty-three HMG KPS with an LOA of RM47.310 million. This means each KPS costs RM570,000. This is the same cost for the 80 AGL HMG contract awarded to High Point as the LOA is RM45.6 million.
The AGL and HMG for the two-types of KPS will be sourced from two separate contracts as reported here.
I was told of the vehicle to be supplied by High Point last February but I did not name it then as that point it was not confirmed the same company will be awarded the HMG contract. As High Point is now the sole supplier of KPS to the Army, I can reveal that the base vehicle is sourced from Brazil from a company Agrale.
The vehicle itself is called Marrua AM250. The vehicle is fitted with a Cummins F 3.8 litre diesel engine and mated to an Alisson six speed automatic gearbox. For the full technical details of the vehicle, see below.
It is unclear how much difference will be of the KPS compared to the bone-stock Marrua AM250. It is likely that the KPS will be in right hand drive as the Marrua is a left hand drive vehicle. It must be noted that our first KPS was a G-Wagen while the second ones are derived from a Hilux while the third one looked like a cross between a Vamtac and a Humvee.
Can the Marua AM250 be offered for HMLTV requirement then? It could if the requirement called for a KPS.
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Here comes d Latinos
Such a simple thing of one requirement in 3 different different chassis
I’ll say what I previously said before High Point Worldwide Sdn Bhd got this contact.
In a few years if there’s another company in the game and its well placed; will it also get a contract to deliver yet another vehicle?
BTW how are the G Wagons doing? Why didn’t we get more – national interests or other reasons? The same can be asked about the VAMTACs. Something we didn’t operate for long was the Pinzgauer. Apparently it has a drive train which is “unique” and this caused us issues.
Well at least its not another Hilux derivative! But with Cendana no longer the preferred maker, seems like they lost out to High Point being this Govt favourite. Weststar/GK managed to remain in favour. Well cronies come, cronies go. They might even come back again!
Im still doubting the need to arm with HMG. Duking out 50cals but cannot take even 30cals rounds? What a joke.
3.8 litre engine better than Cendana Auto KPS. Maybe could put armored cupola for the gunner?
And basis of GKM ii FFR is still a Hilux chassis
Half a million a pop just to carry a HMG or AGL into battle? Easily torched by a cheap chinese drone with an RPG warhead.
Another expensive capex and locked opex for the “local defence industry player”
Hasnan – ” Easily torched by a cheap chinese drone with an RPG warhead”
Yes but on that basis even a multi million MBT or IFV can be “torched by a cheap chinese drone with an RPG warhead”.
Thus, just like how armour and artillery have to refine their training, tactics and procedures; as well as rely on luck with always plays a part; soft armour will have to too. Ultimately whether it’s a HILUX or an armoured HUMVEE both under the right circumstances are equally vulnerable to a UAS or a loitering munition.
Interestingly in the Ukraine the key to survival for artillery is to remain in situ after firing and rely on camouflage as protection against UASs and loitering munitions. “Shooting and scoot” entails movement and makes it easier to be spotted.
So far they found out G-wagon is underpower and has got technical issues,either gearbox or transmission,same thing SAF the southern neighbour stop using the Gwagon.
As for vamtac,its the closest clone of the fame hummer,but as soon as its neighbours bought small batches of vamtac be it SAF and TNI, ATM feels the need to stop using vamtac and the approach is to use vehicles(hilux) that is easily repair in any bengkel and widely populer in malasia.
But now for KPS no doubt its not armoured,they found out the latinos jeep exclusively being use by ATM in asia as of now.
Hopefully ATM will simply order AM250 for its KPS,twin cabin with cargo bucket for weapon copula,stores n reloads.
4 men team stays dry in the twin cab and ready for action anytime of the day.
It is not their approach to get Hilux, it is just the industry realised that the Hilux is the cheapest vehicle around that can be modified and still perform as it should be. That it can easily repaired and popular were just bonus points. I know one dealer who tried to get uparmoured Hilux from Middle East for both the Army and police as it was cheap and readily available but they never want it for reasons unknown.
“I know one dealer who tried to get uparmoured Hilux”
That dealer prolly didnt have cable as strong like GK Weststar or Cendana(getting weaker).
When i previously say experience in Ukraine sees that towed artillery is more survivable than shoot and scoot, everyone say i am wrong…
… – “, everyone say i am wrong…”
When did towed artillery become more survivable? Look up the numbers. SPHs are more survivable because they can relocate faster; by now; instead of scooting they often relocate to somewhere near and rely on cover to evade detection; as opposed to moving to another location to set up firing positions. Nuance …
I know you have this thing about being “right” and reminding others [see another thread] but read what was said and no, towed artillery is not necessarily more survivable…