Malaysia to buy more 155m systems in major modernization programme
July 12 2004 at 11:59 AM
Faz (Login Faz1)
Moderators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Malaysian army is expected to buy more 155mm artillery systems as part of a major modernization programme.
The army has taken delivery of 28 South African Denel 155mm/45-cal G5 Mk 3 towed artillery systems plus ammunition, including projectiles, charges and fuzes.
These are used in conjunction with an African Defence Systems AS2000 computerised fire-control system. The prime movers for the G5s are German MAN 6x6 cross-country trucks that have been modified by local company DEFTECH for their specialist role.
The service has yet to decide whether to buy more towed weapons and/or self-propelled howitzers (SPHs). Until the G5s were delivered, the largest-calibre artillery systems in Malaysian service were 12 155mm FH-70s supplied in the early 1980s by RO Defence. BAE Systems, RO Defence, has had an agreement for some years with Malaysisn Naval Dockyard for the local assembly and eventual production of the 105mm L119 Light Gun. However, industry sources said that this project is not likely to proceed in the short term as the army focuses on 155mm artillery.
Denel could supply additional 65 Mk 3s or the more recent 155mm/52-cal system. The company is still marketing the 155mm G6 SPH but with a combat weight of 47 tonnes, this may be too heavy for the army's retirement.
A possible alternative is the more recent Denel T5, which mates the upper part of the standard G5/45-cal ordnance with an 8 * 8 cross-country chassis. Using a 155mm Base-bleed projectile, a maximum range of 39km can be achieved, which increases to 54km with the recently introduced Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile (V-LAP). The first T5 system was installed on a Tatra 8x8 chassis. It could, however, be fitted to a variety of other cross-country plat-forms, according to Denel. For trials purposes, the chassis has been fitted with the upper part of the latest G5 155mm/52. This is called the T5-52 and a total of 22 projectiles and charges are carried.
During the Defence Services Asia 2004 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in April, South Korea's Samsung Techwin displayed its 155mm/52-cal K9 Thunder SPH. The K9 Thunder is staying in Malaysia for trials and demonstra璽ion purposes before returning to Korea.
It is understood that more than 100 K9s have been built for the Republic of Korea Army and for Turkey. Turkish weapons, given the local name of Firtina are assembled at facilities of the Turkish Land Forces Command. The weapon has also been tested in Spain.
Malaysia has taken delivery of three batches of Brazilian ASTROSII multiple rocket systems and a regiment is now fully operational with three batteries, each with six ASTROS II launchers (JDW 16 January 2002). The army has also received a quantity of Avibras AV - VBL (Viaturas Blindadas Leves) 4 x4 light armoured vehicles. These are to be used in specialised roles within the ASTROS II regiment.
Source:- Janes Defence Weekly 26th May 2004.
Christopher F Foss JDW Land Forces Editor, London
DSA 2004, Mobility Demo.
July 12 2004 at 11:59 AM
Faz (Login Faz1)
Moderators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Malaysian army is expected to buy more 155mm artillery systems as part of a major modernization programme.
The army has taken delivery of 28 South African Denel 155mm/45-cal G5 Mk 3 towed artillery systems plus ammunition, including projectiles, charges and fuzes.
These are used in conjunction with an African Defence Systems AS2000 computerised fire-control system. The prime movers for the G5s are German MAN 6x6 cross-country trucks that have been modified by local company DEFTECH for their specialist role.
The service has yet to decide whether to buy more towed weapons and/or self-propelled howitzers (SPHs). Until the G5s were delivered, the largest-calibre artillery systems in Malaysian service were 12 155mm FH-70s supplied in the early 1980s by RO Defence. BAE Systems, RO Defence, has had an agreement for some years with Malaysisn Naval Dockyard for the local assembly and eventual production of the 105mm L119 Light Gun. However, industry sources said that this project is not likely to proceed in the short term as the army focuses on 155mm artillery.
Denel could supply additional 65 Mk 3s or the more recent 155mm/52-cal system. The company is still marketing the 155mm G6 SPH but with a combat weight of 47 tonnes, this may be too heavy for the army's retirement.
A possible alternative is the more recent Denel T5, which mates the upper part of the standard G5/45-cal ordnance with an 8 * 8 cross-country chassis. Using a 155mm Base-bleed projectile, a maximum range of 39km can be achieved, which increases to 54km with the recently introduced Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile (V-LAP). The first T5 system was installed on a Tatra 8x8 chassis. It could, however, be fitted to a variety of other cross-country plat-forms, according to Denel. For trials purposes, the chassis has been fitted with the upper part of the latest G5 155mm/52. This is called the T5-52 and a total of 22 projectiles and charges are carried.
During the Defence Services Asia 2004 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in April, South Korea's Samsung Techwin displayed its 155mm/52-cal K9 Thunder SPH. The K9 Thunder is staying in Malaysia for trials and demonstra璽ion purposes before returning to Korea.
It is understood that more than 100 K9s have been built for the Republic of Korea Army and for Turkey. Turkish weapons, given the local name of Firtina are assembled at facilities of the Turkish Land Forces Command. The weapon has also been tested in Spain.
Malaysia has taken delivery of three batches of Brazilian ASTROSII multiple rocket systems and a regiment is now fully operational with three batteries, each with six ASTROS II launchers (JDW 16 January 2002). The army has also received a quantity of Avibras AV - VBL (Viaturas Blindadas Leves) 4 x4 light armoured vehicles. These are to be used in specialised roles within the ASTROS II regiment.
Source:- Janes Defence Weekly 26th May 2004.
Christopher F Foss JDW Land Forces Editor, London
DSA 2004, Mobility Demo.
