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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View Comments (16)
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-620x349.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