Malaysia to add more Pendekar tanks, Gempita armored vehicles in 2022

 

A PT-91M Pendekar main battle tank of the Malaysian Army. Photo c/o Lowyat Forum.

The Malaysian Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirmed that the the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is acquiring additional tanks and armored vehicles for the Malaysian Army under its 2022 Action Plan (PT22).

These involves the delivery of 7 units Pendekar main battle tanks and 31 units Gempita 8x8 armored vehicles, to strengthen the Malaysian Army’s capabilities.

Not much details have been provided, although the Malaysian Army already operates both the Pendekar tank and Gempita armored vehicle, and the acquisition plan appears to be additional orders.

The PT-91M Pendekar main battle tank is the Malaysian variant for the Polish-made PT-91 Twardy tank, which in turn is a development of the Russian T-72M1 main battle tank.

Differences with the standard PT-91 include use of Sagem Savan-15 fire control system, a new 1,000hp powerpack matched to a Renk automatic transmission, use of a ZTS 2A46MS 125mm main gun, 7.62mm FN MAG co-axial machine gun, and 12.7mm FN Browning M2HB machine gun.

The Pendekar also uses a Sagem panoramic sight and laser gyro inertial navigation system, the Obra-3 laser warning system, Thales communications equipment, ERAWA-2 explosive reactive armor, and tracks from Diehl Defence.

The DefTech AV8 Gempita is the Malaysian variant of the Turkey’s FNSS PARS armored vehicle, and was manufactured in Malaysia by DefTech in cooperation with FNSS.

The Malaysian Army operates several variants of the Gempita including armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, tank destroyer with the Denel LCT30 anti-tank missile, signals intelligence vehicle, and recovery vehicle.




[1] Bernama
[2] New Straits Times