Sniper Rifles for FRU

FRUB — FRU personnel in their anti-riot gear. PDRM

SHAH ALAM: Almost 14 months ago (December 7 2023), IGP TS Razarudin Husain announced that the Home Ministry has approved an allocation of some RM22 million for the procurement of vehicles, anti-riot dogs and firearms for the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU).

Some of the items he mentioned – personnel protection equipment and firearms – had been tendered out but others had not.

GOF personnel during training for anti-riot operation where they are designated as PORU. Note the Federal Riot Gun launcher with the personnel on the left while the trooper on the right is carrying the CZ 527 bolt-action gun. PDRM.

On January 8, a 55-day tender for the supply and delivery of thirteen .22 bolt action sniper rifles was published on Eperolehan.

SPESIFIKASI BAGI PEROLEHAN SNIPER RIFLE .22 UNTUK KEGUNAAN PASUKAN SIMPANAN PERSEKUTUAN BAGI PERUNTUKAN DI BAWAH PROJEK RMKe-12 RP4 (BIL 191/2023)
The rifle shall be a modern tactical rifle with caliber of
22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR).
The rifle shall be a bolt action lever release rimfire rifle
type.
The rifle shall be fitted with an automatic bolt stop in
the rear position
The rifle lever release shall be able to be transferred
to the left-hand side of the firearm to accommodate
left-handed shooters
Caliber shall be 22 WMR.
Weight of rifle shall be 2,800g + 200g.
Overall Length shall be 920mm + 50mm.
Magazine: The magazine shall be strong and
robust type with a capacity of at least 10 rounds of
ammunition.
The magazine shall be made of polymer.
Each rifle shall be provided with at least two (2)
magazines.
Each rifle must be supplied with a rifle scope complete with suitable ring mounts.
The scope shall have magnification of at least 5-25x.

Based on the above it is likely that the new bolt action sniper rifle will replace the CZ 527 bolt action rifle in service with the FRU. It is unclear whether the CZ 527 rifle will be relegated to training duties as it is chambered for the older .22LR ammunition and may not be compatible with the .22 WMR ammunition of the new rifles.

CZ 457 .22 WMR bolt action rifle. Used for illustration only. CZ picture.

It is interesting to note that a CZ 457 bolt action rifle chambered for the .22 WMR ammunition is available for sale on various US gun shops for $570 dollars and change (RM2565). Other small game/varmint guns cost the same and some are even cheaper than the 457. A scope with the specifications as stated in the tender documents retails for some $800 dollars (RM3600).

.22 LR cartridge on the left and .22 WMR cartridge on the right. Gun Digest picture.

The indicative cost for the thirteen rifles is RM2,046,749.97 which means each gun will cost around RM157K plus change. Apart from the rifles, the winning bidder must also provide an initial batch of ammunition, training, and spare parts for a maximum of two years.

Anyhow, as the tenders for the PPE and riot guns have closed, checks on Eperolehan today showed the bidder lists. Nine bidders took part in the riot gun tender, with the highest one listed at RM8,172,220.00 and the lowest, RM7,619,887.68. As mentioned previously, the indicative cost for the 538 riot guns is RM8.6 million.

PORU personnel with the Federal Riot Guns, the standard riot gas launcher for the police.

As for the PPE tender, twenty-seven bidders took part in the tender. The highest bid – which is likely a mistake – was RM9 billion plus change even though the indicative cost for the tender is RM10 million. The other bids ranged from RM8,644,600.00, the lowest, and RM9,834,500.00, the second highest.