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Para Armour Squadron in The Wild

Soldiers from 10th Para Brigade getting ready to return to their assigned MIFV.

SHAH ALAM: Back in 2021, Malaysian Defence reported on the Para Armour Squadron getting seven MIFVs K200 from the 4th Mechanised Brigade’s 4 Kompeni Kor Polis Tentera Darat. The K200s are armed with the 12.7mm gun hence its designation in the Army as MIFV K200 A1 12.7mm.

The Armour Squadron early this month conducted an exercise at the Asahan firing range which is now part of the large firing range of Kem Sirajuddin in Gemas, Negri Sembilan. The squadron operate out of the camp, likely the only unit in 10th Para Brigade when it was formed, which is not based at Kem Terendak in Malacca.

Unlike the MIFVs of other units – like the 14 RMR – the Para Armour ones are equipped with FN MAG as the secondary weapon by the vehicles commander. Note only the driver is wearing the issued googles. 10th Para Brigade.

Anyhow I believed this is the first major exercise carried out by the squadron since it got the MIFVs back in 2021 (which is publicised). The transfer of the MIFVs marked the phasing out of the Scorpion light tank and Stormer IFV which the squadron used to operate previously. The unit is also equipped with at least two Adnan ambulances together with the Scorpion and Stormers and now with the MIFV.
MIFV ZB 3832, one of the vehicles transferred to the Armour Squadron by 4 KPTD.

The post by 10th Para Brigade:

EπŠπ’ πˆπ‘πŽπ 𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐒𝐫𝐒 𝟏/πŸπŸŽπŸπŸ’ πŒπ„ππ†π”π‰πˆ 𝐓𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐏 πŠπŽπŒππ„π“π„ππ’πˆ πŠπ‘π„π– 𝐃𝐀𝐍 π€ππ†π†πŽπ“π€ 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐏 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆 π’πŠπ”π€πƒπ‘πŽπ π€π‘πŒπŽπ‘ (𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀)
GEMAS : Skuadron Armor (Para) telah melaksanakan latihan Eks IRON THUNDER Siri 1/2024 di Kawasan Lapang Sasar Asahan mulai 5 hingga 9 Februari 2024.
Tujuan eks dilaksanakan adalah untuk memastikan tahap kesiagaan dan keupayaan bagi anggota Skuadron Armor (Para) sentiasa berada di tahap yang tertinggi pada sebilang masa dan dapat meningkatkan serta mempraktikkan ilmu yang telah dipelajari mengikut TTP yang telah digariskan.
Eks ini telah dipecahkan kepada beberapa fasa, antaranya adalah aturgerak Leading Parachute Battle Group (LPBG), aturgerak Tactical Air Landing Operation (TALO), menguasai dan mempertahankan lokasi pentinh, melaksanakan Link up, Battle Hand Over (BHO), Ulang Bekal dan TTP di serang hendap yang menggunakan konsep Combined Armed Live Firing Exercise (CALFEX) bersama Leading Para Battle Group (LPBG).
MK 10 Briged (PARA)

A radio man protecting the rear as his squad mate enter the MIFV. Though wearing a low cut helmet, the radio man is not wearing a headset.

It is interesting to note that soldiers from 10th Para Brigade are also issued with headsets though it is unclear why not all of them are issued with it. See the post below:


Another MIFV ZB 3815 during the exercise. BTDM

β€” Malaysian Defence

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Marhalim Abas: Shah Alam

View Comments (27)

  • Prior to this exercise, they have done 3-4 exercises using MIFV in 2022-2023.

    Current vehicles in their inventory

    MIFV
    ZB 3916
    ZB 3928
    ZB 3815
    ZB 3832
    ZB 3830
    ZA 9964
    ZB 3929

    MIFV Fitter
    ZA 9996

    Adnan Ambulance
    ??
    ??

  • I know weight is an important factor but aren’t these a bit undergunned. Perhaps the Adnan 25mm might be better?

  • Money will always be a problem but still won't consider used equipment for example the american Strykers.

  • If wanna get used, i would go for additional KIFVs. To create a 4th MIFV/ADNAN tracked mechanized infantry battalion (as a replacement of 19RAMD now going to Sabah)

    4x MIFV/ADNAN tracked mechanized infantry battalion (all in Semenanjung)
    7 RRD Mek
    12 RAMD Mek
    14 RAMD Mek
    ?? ???? Mek

    2x Gempita wheeled mechanized infantry battalion
    19 RAMD Mek Sabah
    ?? ???? Mek Sarawak

    I would get around 180 KIFVs (including reserve attrition units), try getting it for free as offsets of korean arms buy (say FA-50 Batch 2)

    Around 160 AV8 Gempita for USD 500 million (including additional units for KAD Cavalry regiments)

  • Last time the scorpion 90mm and the stormer with 20mm orlinkon were on paper better armed compared to the MIFV 50 cal
    Maybe the para should have not retired this yet but its water under the bridge already

    • The Scorpions and Stormers were unsupportable as the numbers were low which had affected the number of people who can support them. The large number of MIFV in service, meant more people are around to suppport them.

  • The discussion seems to be what can be done on paper. Missing in the narrative are the pertinent questions of why an airborne unit would need IFVs and in the event of the unit being rapidly moved by air; inherent issues with moving the IFVs… As it stands even moving a single battalion; plus its supporting arty and keeping it resupplied is a major drain on resources [not all the needed transports will be available or operational when needed]. Adding IFVs to the mix somewhat complicates things.

    No doubt some airborne units have long had IFVs but their requirements/CONOPs differ greatly to 10 Para’s. As for getting used KIFVs; yes but IFVs of that generation really lack the protection needed on the modern battlefield. Also, all this talk about follow on AV-8s is moot : no cash. On F/A-50 offsets; it’s signed and sealed. What we could have done on paper and what we’ve actually done are profoundly different things.

  • "american Strykers."
    "we buy those Australian ASLAV"
    Not really a good idea, and even if we want to, its either Swiss Mowags or Canadian LAV3. The Murican & Aussie ones probably had seen combat in Iraq & Afghanistan and might be carrying permanent combat damages ie hull structural fatigue.

  • Offsets for FA-50 batch 2 is still open for discussion... I would have KIFV, KIFV K263A1 Vulcan VADS variant and UH-60P Blackhawk (being retired prematurely to support locally made Surions) in the lists for offsets for the FA-50 batch 2.

    As for follow on AV8. USD 500 million will get TD around 160 additional AV8s (based on what Oman paid for their PARS order). 100% of the budget will go towards the vehicle itself, as all the ToT etc has been paid for. Still quite a lot of RMK12 2021-2025 budget for tentera darat is still not spent, and this AV8 buy can be fit into RMK12 plan. Just the issue of political will (yes that is complicated i understand)
    To have :
    >> 80-90 AV8 for a 2nd Wheeled Mech Inf Battalion for Sarawak (which nicely balances the relocation of 19 RAMD from Kedah to Sabah)
    >> 70-80 AV8 for KAD Cavalry regiments, enabling all 5 Cavalry regiments to be equipped with a uniform mix of AV8 and HMLTV.

    As for para armor sqn...

    Those KIFVs will never be airdropped anyway so the parachute currency for its soldiers is irrelevant. Just place it back under 11 KAD, or disband it. KIFV movement with C-130 or A400M does not need their crews to have parachute qualifications. But look towards having a single operational ready "playset" for 10PARA (will be shared with all 4 para inf battalions) with mobility-enablers such as Polaris DAGOR (that could lift a whole section in 1 go) and electric mountain bikes. This will enable 10PARA to be dropped at a standoff distance from the intended objective, hopefully with less air defence and travel from DZ to the objective on vehicles.
    https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/10/15/20210828army8614011_075.jpeg

    https://soldiersystems.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_8431.jpg

    BTW Marhalim, other than Sqn Armor Para, there is another PARA unit that is not based in Kem Terendak. The 18 RAMD PARA based in Kuala Terengganu.