Mortar, Tactical, Special Operations and Comms Variants
Malaysian company Cendana Auto Sdn Bhd has unveiled four new vehicles for the Malaysian Army at the DSA 2022 defence exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.
The 4×4 platforms, all based on a Toyota Hilux chassis, include the MT-815 Ground Tactical Mortar Transporter, the Artac Armed Tactical Ground Vehicle, the SF-21 Special Operations Vehicle, and an FFR [Fitted for Radio] communications variant.
A company representative told MON that the 3.2t MT-815, which can accommodate up to six personnel (including the driver) and has a 1.1t payload capacity, offers enough space to carry an 81mm mortar system, with slots for 90 mortar rounds. The mortar, however, cannot be deployed from the vehicle. The MT-815 variant is currently in production, after successfully completing trials with the Malaysian Army.
The Artac can be fitted with different mountings for a range of weapon systems, depending on customer requirements. These include medium-range ATGM, 40mm automatic grenade launchers, as well as 7.62mm Gatling-type and 12.7mm machineguns. The vehicle can transport four personnel and offers enough stowage for 20 boxes of 12.7mm or 40mm ammunition, or three ATGM. A prototype of the variant has already been completed and is set to undergo army trials soon.
The SF-21 features a roof-mounted 12.7mm and two 7.62mm machineguns, plus a total of 16 smoke grenade launchers. It can accommodate up to six personnel (including the driver) and offers STANAG 4569 Level 1 protection over its engine and fuel tank. This variant is still undergoing modifications to meet Malaysian Army requirements after undergoing initial trials.
The FFR communications variant has been equipped with the Thales TRC 3500 HF and TRC 9200 VHF radio systems, after being tailor-made for the Malaysian Army’s Royal Signals Regiment. About 41 of a total 70 examples on order are already in service. Not all 70 vehicles are meant for army use, as some are intended for deployment in UN peacekeeping missions.
Gabriel Dominguez reporting from DSA for MON
