SHAH ALAM: Tender for Bren LMG parts. RMAF has issued request for bids (published June 11 and ends July 2) for parts of various small arms which include the H&K P9S pistol and MP5 submachinegun, Remington 870 shotguns and surprisingly Bren 303 Light Machine guns. Also being sought are parts from Pindad P2 and Sphinx 3000 pistols, and FN 240 (MAG) machineguns.
While the small arms inventory in RMAF are small- mostly used by its Special Forces units – Paskal and its base defence – and are not as extensive as the Army, the inclusion of the Bren 303 LMGs was indeed surprising. Previously, back in 2015, RMAF itself revealed that it still had a number of serviceable heavy barrel SLR in its arsenal, I had no idea it still have the Bren LMGs in its stock, however.
RMAF personnel being briefed on the heavy barrel automatic SLR at a range at Kuantan airbase in 2015. RMAF
The RFB stated that it was looking from Bren 303 LMG which means its likely they are chambered for the 303 cartridge, the one used up to late 50 and early 60s before being replaced (they change the barrel and other parts) even in the Army with the 7.62mm cartridge.
A screenshot of the RFB for the Bren LMG spare parts
As the specifications for the RFB stated that it was looking for extractors and other parts it is likely that the intention was to use to put these LMGs back into service. I guess it will be cheaper than buying new guns as probably they have a tons of 303 cartridges stored somewhere.
Some of the firearms that were used by the police during the Emergency at PDRM Emergency Gallery in Johor. The gun with the curved magazine is a Bren LMG.
As seen from the picture above, a Bren LMG chambered with the 303 cartridge is readily identifiable as it is fitted with a curve magazine which aids in the chambering of the weapon. I have no idea whether the parts for Bren 303 are readily available though it is likely a sizeable number of the 7.62 version are likely to be in limited usage in India. I am not saying having the Bren in service is a bad thing, on the contrary, I find it most interesting. It will be great if they invite me to shoot them once the parts are delivered.
— Malaysian Defence
Still waiting the tender result of the 24 units 4×4 ATGM weapons carrier for the army. Any news regarding this?
And how about 40+ units 4×4 vehicle for army UNIFIL that fund by UN? Still ongoing?
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Nothing on both for the moment.
from the tender seems that it is for 20 units of bren gun.
to be used to defend our gate guard aircrafts maybe🤣🤣🤣🤣
http://www.airforce.mil.my/berita/berita-dari-pangkalan/6242-pemasangan-pesawat-alouette-mk-iii-dan-pc-7-mk-i-di-muzium-pangkalan-udara-gong-kedak
jokes aside, in all actually a very interesting news.
Did we have people oil up the weapons regularly and what condition are the .303 rounds in, even if kept in the best conditions? I wouldn’t want to fire them.
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No idea
Any chance these Brens have actually been rechambered to 7.62 NATO?
We are not known for using the correct terminology, especially terms of a historical nature. There’s even a repeated spelling error in the tenders.
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I have no idea really, so I have to go with the tender documents that’s available. If only they could post pictures of them it will be easy to spot them as I mentioned in the post, curve magazine its 303, if its straight is 7.62.
The Bren is a solidly very accurate weapon.. Very steady n extremely solid. The gun can work forever.
Only some small draw back. Too accurate for a LMG. If held steadily the chain of bullet will hit the same place . The bullets will not form a beaten area
The shooter must learn small burst of 3 to 4 bullets per shot. Can only use magazine feed. So require a separate loader.
Other than that its a beautiful n tough weapon
If our Armed Forces have to bring museum relics back into service, that tells alot about the state of finance for our Forces.
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Not really, it is likely the weapon has been in the inventory of RMAF since the 1960s. The air force has not much use for small arms though I admit they could have ordered new guns to replace the old ones
FN 240 Machine Gun ?. What is suppose to mean. All i know is FN M249 SAW and FN Minimi Mk.3
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Also known as the FN MAG, which replaced the Bren in most countries including Malaysia. The FN 240 is US designation for the machine gun
Wow and I thought PGA inventories are ancient
This isn’t private properties tho, there are times where sourcing parts is going to be prohibitively expensive and they might as well get a new gun. This is taxpayers’ money after all
@Marhalim
High time for replacement regardless. It doesn’t have to be a full on SAW but a full auto SCAR-H would be perfect replacement.
@Safran
FN 240 – GMPG
FN M249 – Minimi
Actually all the Malaysian army Brens were modified with new barrels n carriers for the 7.62mm bullet. However the ori .303 can still be found in the Army inventory especially the Wataniah . Both 7.62mm n .303 versions are superb. Not so the SLR heavy barrel. Very loud. Great kick and need to really hold it tightly. The firing pin is prone to breaking . The firing pin is not field replaceable. Its also prone to stoppages. The ori plan was to replace the Bren with the SLRHB but due to to the bad performance of the SLRHB , the Bren was brought back.
Thereafter the HK LMG was bought n later the Minimi
Pindad p2? Isnt that a pistol? Or is it actualy the ss2 assault rifle?
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My mistake it’s the P2 pistol
US will gift us a new mobile radar
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digital-battlespace/us-gift-radars-indonesia-and-malaysia/
Is it true?
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If its reported in Shephard locally of course its true
Joe “If our Armed Forces have to bring museum relics back into service, that tells alot about the state of finance for our Forces.“
Marhalim “Not really, it is likely the weapon has been in the inventory of RMAF since the 1960s. The air force has not much use for small arms though I admit they could have ordered new guns to replace the old ones“
Possibly not brought back but in use all along. You know how we don’t buy enough pieces to fully equip all units or even members of a given units? Like how Wataniah units skipped the AUG and M4 and are still on the M16, certain mechanised units have a single M60 MG, not every infantry unit has Milkors and there are HK11s still in service.
Lee Yoke Meng, I’ve also seen an infantry section from 4 RAMD use an M16 with bipod in one 2015 exercise. Not sure if this is a heavy barrel version or not. Was also wondering if this is their standard section automatic weapon.
AM.
There is no heavy barrel version of the M16 but there have been bipod versions used for SAW purpose.
Its not standard issue.
The Wataniah always uses hand me down weapons. They use the SLR when the regulars were using M16. Then the Berettas , HK33 n M16 got handed down etc. The Bren is still a valued possession
Lee Yoke Meng: “There is no heavy barrel version of the M16 but there have been bipod versions used for SAW purpose.”
Not meaning to contradict you but there are heavy barrel M16s, at least in earlier versions. The barrel is visibly thicker. Perhaps we didn’t buy them, but the SAF did in the late 60s- in time to equip the first NS conscripts before their discharge- and issued it to two members of a section.
I’m not aware of any “bipod versions” of early M16s. The most common, early bipod was this simple and cheap, spring-loaded affair that was clipped on just under the front sight.
https://imgur.com/r/RetroAR/xx7ax
You can see us using it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xHvcKsBi0&t=6m50s
Hey Marhalim, is that a. Bren LMG in the Tugu Negara?
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Yes it’s the one on the figure on the right. Its bronze like the rest of the sculpture
I think those bren gun and all rhose yesteryears gun are meant for familiarisation purposes nothing much…for parts has maf thought of 3D printing…maybe those STRIDE pple should think along that line for small arms parts…actually what is the purpose of STRIDE.. ? they suppose to bring the maf forward in all milutary matters…my 2 cents.
RedSot – “they suppose to bring the maf forward in all milutary matters””
What they are supposed to do and what they can actually do is also driven by financial factors. STRIDE has to work closely with the armed services to ensure that it does not waste resources on things not needed or wanted by the armed services but it also needs adequate funding for R&D…..
On Bren. It is not on issue any longer to any unit; irrespective of the service. The army still had Brens on issue up to the late 1980’s (photos exist showing the used on ops during this period) but even by then they had been largely retired and stored.
Why a tender has been issued for Bren parts remains a mystery but the fact remains that it’s not on regular issue to anyone anymore and it’s not a matter of us having to bring it back into service due to a shortage of LMGs which we anyhow have no shortage of.
BTW, a country that produced Bren parts up to the 1980’s was India. Even a Czech company – up to a few years ago – still had parts and newly built guns on offer – “Bren” (originally Czech designed) of course being an acronym for “Brno/Enfield”. Up to the 1990’s Pakistan had millions of POF .303 rounds stored and large quantities went to Afghanistan as during the early years the Muj had more Enfields than they did AKs.
Marhalim – “its straight is 7.62.””
Seen on Brens used by us, South Africa (Vickers MGs were still used up to the 1980’) and India.
“Why a tender has been issued for Bren parts remains a mystery”
Maybe we need functioning guns to fire blanks because a depiction of past actions is in the works. The M1 carbine appeared on Merdeka Day not too long ago.
“the fact remains that it’s not on regular issue to anyone anymore and it’s not a matter of us having to bring it back into service due to a shortage of LMGs which we anyhow have no shortage of. ”
On bringing things back, does anyone know if the 106mm RCLs that 10th Para was recently seen firing dismounted, have been brought back into service?
Marhalim, what type of radar we got as gift from US? Mind to explain?
Either for Museum, research, weapons familiarisation or keep it for any filming purposes.
AM – “Maybe we need functioning guns to fire blanks because a depiction of past actions is in the works”
We don’t need functioning guns for the purpose you mentioned.
AM – “m RCLs that 10th Para was recently seen firing dismounted, have been brought back into service””
On paper we have no need for the RCLs as IFVs are equipped with various means to provide infantry with direct and indirect support and infantry units nor have a variety of shoulder fired weapons plus Milkor.
The RCLs are also heavy and cumbersome. The plus side is that RCLs are useful in urban environments; to knock down structures and such.
AM.
If just to fire blanks we dont need to buy spares. Buying spares means keeping n maintainning the gun in real working condition to fire a bullet. If its needed for show n parade they dont need it to be in working order
AlecVostok – “Either for Museum, research, weapons familiarisation or keep it for any filming purposes”
We already have Brens in the army and police museums and weapons displayed at museums are not required to be operable.
For “research” and “familiarisation” we have tonnes of other – newer – weapons available and anyhow would not use a weapon originally designed in the 1930’s for both these purposes.
AM,
On paper the RCLs are also useful for laying smoke and illum rounds but the Milkors and 60mms are a more practical means of doing so.
Azlan “We don’t need functioning guns for the purpose you mentioned. ”
Lee Yoke Meng “If just to fire blanks we dont need to buy spares.”
I’m surprised to hear this. The action cycles in the same manner as with live rounds. You still need a safe and functional weapon. In fact, some weapons are more stoppage prone with blanks because pressures are lower, even with blank firing attachments to mitigate this.
a funny detail in the tender.
Negara asal pembuat adalah FN Hersal (sic).
I didn’t know that FN is a country on its own! 🤣🤣🤣
anyway some of the price of the parts
spring tube nut
usd2.75
butt plate screw (this is just a normal wood screw!!)
usd2.25
spring post
usd4.00
post piston
usd55.00
Those parts should not cost an arm and leg. From a quick look around for parts seems like almost all parts to make a new bren gun could still be found, new old stock (NOS).
AM,
Granted but we can safely say that enabling Brens to fire blanks in a movie or a re-enactment is not why an official tender has been placed for parts. Of course this leaves us none the wiser as to the reason why parts are required ….
On the question of weapons firing blanks in movies; in “Bukit Kepong”, “Lt. Adnan” and “PASKAL; were real blanks fired?
These is where some of us dont see,malaysian are a bit backwards I must agree,not every govt agency example WATANIAH or RELA will be issued with top notch weapons,malaysia stil have tons of oldschool weapons and it comes to no surprise these weapons will be seen in service…staunch beluever like to stick to tradition like some of our posters…keep the tradition….etc etc..
Azlan “On the question of weapons firing blanks in movies; in “Bukit Kepong”, “Lt. Adnan” and “PASKAL; were real blanks fired?”
Not in PASKAL’s case, even though Mindef gave very substantial support. Though it’s possible that the crew wanted more flash and bang than blanks could give.
RedSot – “These is where some of us dont see,malaysian are a bit backwards I must agree,not every govt agency example WATANIAH or RELA will be issued with top notch weapons,malaysia stil have tons of oldschool weapons””
This is actually the same is most countries and not just here – 2nd line or paramilitary units not being as well equipped as main line military units ….
ResSot – “e…staunch beluever like to stick to tradition like some of our posters…keep the tradition….etc etc..””
Major difference in certain units not being as well equipped as other units due to financial factors and military traditions (which give a sense of identity and regimental /unit pride) being maintained ……
Two very separate things which shouldn’t be conflated.
…. – “From a quick look around for parts seems like almost all parts to make a new bren gun could still be found””
Hardly surprising given the numbers of Brens operated and the fact that Brens were still powered by some well into the 1980’s.
If memory serves me; a few years ago a Czech company (where it was originally designed) was offering a new Bren variant. I’m sure I read this in IDR some years back.