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• Interesting in that we still see the need for a heavier non disposable shoulder launched weapon to equip the Support Companies (and also Gerak Khas); as a supplement to the section level operates RPGs and LAWs.

  The advantage it will have over the RPGs and LAW is better accuracy (due to the sight), better range and the ability to fire a variety of rounds. The Gustavs traditionally have been used to fire smoke and illum which however can also be done by the Milkors and mortars.

• Just to clarify,

  So this tender is to equip the anti-armor platoon of the support company (basically weapons company)?

  From the infantry battalion orbat, do the infantry company have a heavy weapons platoon? And if yes, are they only equiped with medium mg?

  Reply
  Yes it the Platun Anti Kereta Kebal (PKK). I am not well versed in the ORBAT of infantry units to detail their exact composition.

• Wise choice for ATM, with this new M4 Carl.G ,and many ranges of rounds, maybe it might replace the older version of Carl.G...C90....Baktar Shikan...Metis...NLAW... Eryx...106 mm R.R....
  If ATM is creative enough this gun can be mounted on tarantula vehicles etc etc...the possibilities are endless...

  Reply
  The Goose is meant to be man portable, not mounted on a vehicle. It can be carried on a vehicle though. Its not not being creative but RCL needs an empty back space to avoid the blast from affecting the shooter.

• I'm guessing the reason why its not G2G deal was because it goes thru tender which DIDN'T specify the exact weapon of choice but from the way the tender requirements is written leave no doubts as to what that weapon is. Going G2G meant no tender process which is against the current open style procurement process.

  No doubts opening for local agents only meant feeding middlemen but at least the process is more open now and open tender means TDM could still get a reasonable offer and not from a fixed crony.

  Reply
  Not really, only one or two companies can claim to be local agents of a particular foreign company. The problem with this of course that the designated company might not get the contract but instead go to another company. What will happened then, if the first company can still make money they will get a deal with the designated company for a small profit which has happened before various times. If the margin is too low for such a deal, the deal will flounder and they will have to re-tender again until the designated company wins it. Which has happened before.

• Nihd - ''From the infantry battalion orbat, do the infantry company have a heavy weapons platoon? And if yes, are they only equiped with medium mg?''

  Traditionally each infantry battalion had a Support Company which had amongst other things a MG Platoon [in the form of GPMGs] which were parceled out where they are needed. Carl Gustavs are also operated by the Support Company but in the past there was no such thing as a ''anti-armor platoon'' for the reason that engaging tanks wasn't on the list of our priorities [given the threat situation then] and the Carl Gustav was a jack of all trades; from engaging bunkers to laying smoke to whatever targets of opportunity were presented.

  The difference between now and then is that back then the Carl Gustav was the only means of engaging AFVs [apart from the hard to conceal and not very effective RCLs]; times have changed; putting aside guided stuff which is more conducive at non restricted terrain at medium to longer ranges [i.e. along highways and such]; at closer ranges in restricted terrain [palm estates or urban areas] the RPGs and LAW would be useful; even if they achieve a mobility kill or destroy the target's optics; the job is done.

• Prove me wrong...twin 106mm RCL have been mounted on M113 by the auzi before....it can be mount n dismount of cause....I understood pretty well of the backblast area 50 mtr...it should be no issue as the gunner n loader will be standing at both side of the tube inside the vehicle....more ammo can be carried by the taranrula...2 men team lugging 16kg tube ( older version ) n 4 ammo in a canister is no joke ( 4 tubes in a rifle company )....plus your rifle n personal belonging...

  Reply
  the RCL you are talking about was never designed to be fired from the shoulder unlike the Goose. Yes the 14 kg Mark 2 is heavy but mounting it to a vehicle would need proper engineering it would not be enough to be creative. As you can see from the post, our guys had already carried the Goose in a G wagon but then fire them from the shoulder.
  I know I won't convinced you that your idea to mount the Goose is a a bad idea, so you do you. It's the same about aimed fire but life is too short to argue over trivial matters

• "they will have to re-tender again"
  It would still have to be an agreeable sum between both buyer and seller hence if the Govt doesn't feel the bid is worth the value, a re-tender is necessary and altho nothing is really foolproof, the Govt do acknowledge there is attempts to rig Govt tendering process in other areas and they are scrutinising tender bidders more closely.

  Human greed is such that people will always find ways to do things unethically but progression towards a more transparent system is still better than previously.

• -A major issue with RCLs is that the black blast creates a lot of smoke and dust; making it easy for others to spot the firing position.
  -Ultimately; RCLs (large heavy tripod mounted ones as opposed to shoulder launches ones like Folgore and Carl Gustav) have been largely done away with by most armies for the reason that their roles can be performed just as effectively (or even better) by other weapons which are more practical to use.
  - The 12.7mm spotting round makes tripod mounted RCLs quite accurate but the 106mm round itself has very little penetrating power against anything other than a lightly armoured target.
  - The USMC use to have a platform with 6 RCLs called the Ontos which was very effective in the direct fire role. It was very useful in Hue for blasting holes in walls. The Filipinos in Marawi also found RCLs useful for this role.
  - Out of sheer necessity RCLs have been mounted on other platforms as well : the problem is that when used in the direct fire role their crews are totally exposed to enemy fire.

• Still want to go through middle men who add no value to the chain. A gov to gov deal will give more bang for the bucks

• Lee - “gov to gov deal will give more bang for the bucks”

  Quite obviously but such practices are ingrained in the system. Unless and until deep fundamental changes are made; nothing will change.