Malaysian Armed Forces to receive 263 high-mobility vehicles

The Agrale Marruá 4×4 vehicle (pictured above) forms the basis of the MAF's new Tedung high-mobility weapon-carrier vehicle. (Victor Manuel Saraiva Barreira)

The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is set to receive 263 new high-mobility vehicles under a procurement programme valued at MYR165 million (USD40.8 million), it announced on its official social media channel in late August.

Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin officially unveiled the vehicles on 27 August during a Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) event in Kuala Lumpur. The acquisition comprises 163 Tedung high-mobility weapon-carrier vehicles and 100 Kala reconnaissance vehicles.

The Tedung platform is based on the Brazilian Agrale Marruá AM250 4x4 Double Cab vehicle. According to the MAF, 80 vehicles will be configured as automatic grenade launcher carriers and 83 as heavy machine-gun carriers under a contract valued at MYR93 million.

Tedung vehicles are powered by a Cummins F3.8 turbocharged diesel engine generating 170 hp and 600 Nm of torque and feature a permanent four-wheel-drive system. The platform has a ground clearance of 350 mm and is capable of negotiating gradients of up to 60% on roads and 40% in off-road conditions.

The MAF said the Tedung platform is also expected to support a range of future mission-specific configurations, including radio-equipped vehicles, artillery towing variants, and command vehicles.

The Kala vehicle is designed to support reconnaissance and other tactical missions requiring rapid mobility across various terrain conditions. The procurement of 100 vehicles is valued at MYR72 million.

Powered by a 900 cc Rotax ACE turbocharged engine producing up to 200 hp, Kala is equipped with selectable two- and four-wheel drive, a front differential lock, and a cross-country suspension system. The vehicle can carry a driver and three fully equipped personnel.