Malaysia to receive 178 indigenous Tarantula 4x4 high mobility armored vehicles

 

The Tarantula 4x4 high mobility armored vehicle. Photo c/o Bernama.

Malaysian defense company Mildef International Technologies has confirmed that it would be supplying 178 units of their indigenously made Tarantula 4x4 high mobility armored vehicles for the Malaysian Army.

This was confirmed by Mildef to British defense media outlet Janes on 07 August 2023, which also confirmed that deliveries are expected to start by 2024.

It is not yet determined if the deal would involve outright purchase or lease option, as Janes previously reported in 2022 that the Malaysian Armed Forces is looking to lease the Tarantula 4x4 armored vehicles based on statements from Mildef’s representatives present during DSA 2022 defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

The Tarantula 4x4 armored vehicles are expected to replace the Malaysian Army’s ageing fleet of Condor 4x4 armored personnel carriers, which the Malaysian Army has been eyeing to replace with a new vehicle.

The Tarantula weighs 14 tons unloaded and 16 tons fully loaded, a length of 6.3 meters, and width of 2.5 meters, and a height of 3 meters.

It is powered by a Caterpillar-sourced  7.2-liter diesel engine capable of producing 330 horsepower and allowing a maximum road speed of 110 kilometers per hour. 

The vehicle could carry 10 personnel including a driver and commander and can be armed with 12.7mm heavy machine guns using a remote-controlled weapon station. The prototype of the vehicle was equipped with South African-made Reutech Rogue RCWS, which also equips the Gempita 8x8 armored vehicles of the Malaysian Army.

Armored protection is rated at STANAG Level 2, while bottom protection is rated at STANAG Level 2B, and hull at STANAG Level 2A. The vehicle is also fitted with mine blast attenuating seats to protect its passengers.

[1] Janes