A mock-up of the advanced weapon station on display at DSA 2024. (Janes/Rakend P)

Shrike Marine has secured an arrangement to trial an enhanced version of its advanced weapon station (AWS) with the Malaysian Army.

While speaking to Janes at the 18th Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, Shrike Marine disclosed that the trials are planned to start from the week beginning 13 May.

The enhanced version of the AWS was revealed for the first time at DSA 2024.

Shrike Marine is manufacturing the AWS in Malaysia in collaboration with Advanced Defence Systems Sdn Bhd (ADSSB).

The enhanced AWS is provided with an “ammo box” for feeding the rounds and a better shock-absorption mechanism to improve the operation. The enhanced version is available in the 12.7 mm cartridge version only as compared with the older version, which is available in 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm. The contractor informed Janes that a 7.62 mm model of the enhanced version is in pipeline.

MBDA showcased the scale models of its Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions and VL MICA New Generation system at the DSA 2024 exhibition. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)

European missile maker MBDA has offered its Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS) self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and VL MICA New Generation (NG) SAM to the Malaysian Armed Forces, a spokesperson of MBDA told Janes at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur from 6 to 9 May.

“[MBDA has] proposed the systems to the Malaysian Army and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF),” the spokesperson said.

However, it is still unclear when the systems will be tested by these services, the spokesperson added.

The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) seeks to procure a short-range air-defence (SHORAD) system as a part of the 12th Malaysia Plan, which runs from 2021 to 2025.

Both the EMADS and VL MICA are short- to medium-range air-defence systems developed and are primarily intended for defending ground formations or static assets against common aerial threats such as fighter and multirole aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles, according to the spokesperson.

According to

BrahMos Aerospace showcased a scaled version of the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet armed with three BrahMos cruise missiles at the DSA 2024 exhibition. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)

BrahMos Aerospace – a joint venture (JV) between India and Russia – has outlined its plans to export its supersonic cruise missiles to Southeast Asian countries at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur from 6 to 9 May.

Speaking with Janes at the show, a spokesperson for BrahMos Aerospace said the company has offered its cruise missiles to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

“We [BrahMos Aerospace] are in talks with all these countries, and they have shown good interest in the missile,” the spokesperson added.

Janes understands that Malaysia and Indonesia are looking to procure air-launched variants of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to arm their Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets.

Vietnam plans to procure the shore-based anti-ship missile version of the BrahMos to counter the Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

The spokesperson confirmed that BrahMos Aerospace has initiated the delivery of the BrahMos system to the Philippines.