Malaysian Army - Present Development

Present Development

Since the recovery from the 1997 economic crisis, MA along with other branches of the MAF regains momentum in its modernizing programs. The first major procurement was to set a milestone by building its first ever main battle tank regiment. MA received delivery of 48 PT-91M main battle tanks and other tank based equipment like ARV WZT-4 from Poland, fully completed contract of sale in March 2010. Despite adding some 28 units of South African G5 Mk III 155 mm howitzers, another major procurement was 18 units of Astros MRLS from Brazil which delivery was completed in 2006. A second batch of 18 units MLRS was ordered in 2007. MA is also rapidly mechanizing its current inventory where 211 Adnan IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) has been acquired by the army in 2004. Following a more recent procurement of the Pakistani Bakhtar-Shikan Anti-armor missile launcher, these were installed on the Adnans.

MA is now shifting its emphasis on enhancing its air wing. In September, 2006, MA had received its 11th and last Agusta-Westland A109H Light Utility Helicopter. These helicopters are to initially complement and ultimately replace the aging SA316B Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters. 6 of them were to be installed with light arms and to be tasked to a scout observation unit; a sample was shown in LIMA 07. The configuration of the remainder is unclear. Furthermore, the army will also receive S61A-4 Nuri multipurpose helicopters after they are retired from RMAF to form the backbone for the army’s very first air transport unit. These helicopters will form the army air wing’s squadron 881 and squadron 882 respectively.

The same year at the biannual Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2006, Malaysia announced the U.S. made M4 Carbine service rifle will replace the Austrian made Steyr AUG service rifle for all three Malaysian Armed Forces services. The army will eventually receive the new weapon soon.

There is also a requirement for an upgrade to the current air defence network. However a dispute between the army and the air force on whether to introduce a mid-range SAM system had led the procurement to be on hold. According to a recent interview of the army’s chief of staff, Ismail bin Haji Jamaluddin, the army has no intention to take over the mid range air defence role.