BANGKOK: New Condor. At the Merdeka Parade this year, two prototype Condors took part in the parade. One was the APC variant while the other was the logistics version. At the Defence and Security Exhibition ( DSE) here today, another newly upgraded Condor was displayed for the first time.
This Condor was upgraded by Chaiseri, Deftech’s Thailand collaborator, the original manufacturer of Lipan Bara. The upgraded Condor in the APC guise is the main attraction of Chaiseri showcase at DSE.
Apparently the two Condor prototypes that took part in the Merdeka parade were upgraded at Deftech plant in Nilai, Negri Sembilan while the one shown here was done at Chaiseri plant in Thailand. As there are two versions of the upgraded Condor APCs, I will refer the one upgraded at Nilai as the N-pattern vehicle while the Thai one as the C-pattern.
At first glance both APC prototypes looked the same but the one displayed here look more polished even though it has yet to be fitted with the grenade launchers. The C-pattern is also fitted with the same turret manufactured by Chaiseri as used on the Lipanbara.
From the pictures you will noticed next to the driver’s compartment, there is an air intake and a hatch cover. This items were added to accommodate a new three litre engine fitted to the Condor.
On the N-pattern Condor that took part in the Merdeka Parade there was a single air intake next to the driver’s compartment (which …commented on).I was told the air intake and hatch cover on both vehicles were necessary to accommodate the new engine fitted on them
The C-pattern Condor also has a new air conditioning system and even the condenser which were placed at the back in a box outside the hull in the rear have now been moved inside the cabin. This allow the elimination of the box like compartment on the hull next to the rear door.
I was told the Army has yet to decide which pattern vehicle will be selected for the remanufacturing program. Furthermore if money was available, a new 6X6 could be bought instead. Of course this will depend whether there is money available for new vehicles or not.
— Malaysian Defence
CondoAs the vehicle took
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Who want to marry an old lady with a thick make-up..?
7.62mm is puny for a main armament for something like condor. 50 cal is the minimum im
Totally agree with muzam man ( cracks me up) and dundun, for the sake of warriors, get a new one please
I agreed. 50cal HMG or 40mm AGL should be minimum. Upgraded it and sent to Sabah ESSCOM. They can use some armor there.
On another note, I wonder if there are any armor/mechanised/artillery unit is based in Sabah & Sarawak? Only heard that only Sibmas and Condor with some Adnan & Lipanbara in ESSCOM.
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ESSCOM armour units are the AV8, Lipanbara and probably a mixture KIFV and Adnans. This has been reported by everyone. The Condors and Sibmas as well in Sarawak with 2 Armor, I believe
Its a good decision to increase the number of armoured vehicles in our inventory. Now more standard infantry batalions can be provided with armoured taxi service or for internal security usage
So from what I can gather, the Condor has now been relegated from main APC to a MRAP type role, just like the Australian Bushmaster.
I agree with Lee..since we have so many left it makes perfect sense to use these as armoured taxi, and they only need a GPMG not a 0.50cm or more.
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It must be said though that its not really an MRAP
dundun – ”7.62mm is puny for a main armament for something like condor. 50 cal is the minimum im”
Hazwan – ”I agreed. 50cal HMG or 40mm AGL should be minimum.”
Why?? It depends on the threat and the circumstances ……
First ask what type of roles and in what kinds of scenarios will the Condors perform in. If operating in restrictive terrain where the main weapon will be used against infantry at close to medium ranges; a 7.62 GPMG will the job. Unless the targets are other APCs [as thinly protecyed as the Condor] or are targets at long range; a 12.7mm HMG will not offer many advantages. Another thing to consider is that 12.7mm ammo takes up more space than 7.62mm.
Tom Tom – ”So from what I can gather, the Condor has now been relegated from main APC to a MRAP type role”
No. The Condor just doesn’t have the mine protection or mobility offered by MRAPs
“So from what I can gather, the Condor has now been relegated from main APC to a MRAP type role”
Tom, this point is academic. By definition, an APC dismounts troops at a distance from the line of contact (if there is a clear one). The idea is to provide motorized transport under armour. MRAPs are APCs.
IFVs are theoretically meant to bring troops closer, to engage with their organic weapons and maybe allow troops to fire from within the vehicle. Condors have turrets and machine guns, but they have never been IFVs.
Azlan – Why??
1. 50 cal got longer range and more punching power. Will be useful in targeting speed boats(pirates main transport) from the coast. If you want 7.62mm GPMG, smaller and more mobile platform with less capacity than Condor like G-Wagon, VAMTACS, GK MK1 or even an infantry man is better suited to those restrictive conditions . Like you said,”12.7mm ammo takes up more space than 7.62mm.” hence the need for bigger vehicles.
2. Rather than just focusing on insurgents/pirates in ESSCOM, we shall also looking at our conventional peers down south. Sabah & Sarawak has a long border with Indonesia. With the Indonesia building more bases and stationing more troops and heavy equipments in Kalimantan, having a bit more firepower will help the morale.
3. Correct me if i am wrong, but couldn’t you also put a GPMG to the rear hatch of Condor? Pretty sure they did that in Lahad Datu as i saw it in the news or was it the Sibmas?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6LOJ7FRWlg/UTWjVoN8EQI/AAAAAAAADRQ/OOXsKfXZ2lg/s640/malaysiatroopswide-620×349.jpg
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After a few rollovers during Somalia where gunners were killed, the Army banned the use of rear guns on the Condor
Actually giving the Condors the ability to divert the blast from underneath the vehicle is not rocket science n not much of a weight penalty too
Hazwan,
”Firepower” is not and has never been a panacea.
Before deciding on what to arm the Condors with first ask yourself what roles is the Condor expected to perform? All the examples you mentioned [G-Wagon, VAMTACS, GK MK1] are unprotected 4x4s with exposed gunners; these are intended to perform different roles compared to the Condor ….. Despite it’s upgrade the Condor still remains a lightly protected platform based on a lorry and intended for low threat scenarios – lets not overlook this. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’d rather have the Condor fitted with spall liners rather than worry about other stuff.
The reason I mentioned GPMGs were sufficient is because on the Condor, the main weapon’s only expected to be used for self defence and to lay down suppressive fire; for which a HMG is not needed – using your argument then no Adnans would be fitted with GPMGs.
And yes when I mentioned GPMGs I wasn’t focusing mainly on ESSCOM but on other scenarios. If you really think a HMG is truly needed then a better option would be for a single vehicle in a troop to be fitted with one : having every vehicle fitted with an HMG might not be practical. Also, do you really foresee a scenario where Condors on the beach will be in place to target ”speed boats (pirates main transport) from the coast”?
AM hit it spot on when he said : ” Condors have turrets and machine guns, but they have never been IFVs.”
Lee,
Depends totally on the ”size” of the blast doesn’t it? Not rocket science either :] Obviously if there is intent to provide the Condor with the same level of blast protection as a MRAP; they’re will be major work involved and that’s assuming the engine and gear can take the extra weight.
Tahniah to Malaysia … Upgrade Condors is the best decision by ATM to “jimat” is budget ito moderrnize and strengthen its forces.. Maybe soon .. we can add more of our AV8 to replace our Condor…
As For me. We Should Get More Armoured Recovery Vehicle and MGS But at Least 90mm
The chaiseri upgrade looks more properly thought out engineering-wise, compared to the nilai upgrade.
– better thought out location for headlights and winches.
– bigger radiator opening on the side, compared to thin triangular opening on the glacis. No front facing air intakes either.
– upgraded ballistic glass on driver windshields. Looks like the same material and thickness like on the lipanbara.
– added v bottom armor for better mine blast protection.
The upgraded condors would be a great addition to malaysian army. If from the 456 condors bought, say 350 is to be upgraded. 30 each to the 4 regiments of kor armor cavalry. Hi-low mix of gempita (40) and condor (40) (those regiments formerly with hi-low mix of sibmas and condor). For the motorized battalions, 20 each for the support company of 4 battalions. For organic fire support and escort of soft skinned lorries. 60 more reserved for peacekeeping duties, and rest for supporting elements of mechanized and armoured brigades.
The re manufacturing is just a disgust for new hull with reused components. Its something that spawn out of desperate. But I doubt army is able to tap the benefit based on their non existent engineering capability.
No new equipment aside from those originate from the new hull itself.
RPG 7, like the one used in Battle of Mogadishu (1993), can be defeated by additional cage/slate armour.
https://gizmodo.com/how-armor-is-evolving-to-beat-tank-smashing-rpgs-1555422743
or net armour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf18rcqm5-Q