Still No Decision on the Proposed Acquisition of Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH) for the Army?

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – What has become of the Ministry of Defence’s proposed acquisition of the 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) system? Is the Ministry still interested in procuring it?

As 2024 is drawing to a close, the proposed acquisition of the 155mm howitzer system appears to have no resolution in sight.

Several months ago, there was intense speculation that the Ministry would end the uncertainty by signing a procurement contract during the DSA 2024 defence exhibition in May.

The speculation arose after reports that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) had issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to local company Global Komited in March for the acquisition of the “EVA” 155mm self-propelled howitzer system for the Malaysian Army.

Global Komited is a subsidiary of the Weststar Group.

This claim was highlighted by Member of Parliament Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang), who raised the matter during a parliamentary session while the Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, was wrapping up the debate on the Royal Address for his ministry.

“Is it true that the Ministry of Finance has issued an LOI worth RM805 million to Global Komited, a subsidiary of Weststar Group, for the procurement of the EVA 155mm self-propelled howitzer system?” the MP asked the Minister of Defence in Parliament.

He alleged that the Ministry of Finance had selected the “EVA” 155mm system, outbidding other contenders such as the CAESAR 155mm system developed by the French company NEXTER.

In response, the Defence Minister clarified that the proposal for the 155mm self-propelled howitzer system for the Malaysian Army is still in the procurement process.

 He emphasized that all defence procurement by the Ministry follows the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidelines set by the Ministry of Finance.

The “EVA” 155mm system, developed by Konstrukta Defence, received partial funding from the Slovakian Ministry of Defence for its development.

The system was first unveiled to the public in 2015.

One of the system’s key features is its high mobility, thanks to its lightweight design.

Other features include crew protection from infantry weapons, long-range strikes, quick deployment and precise firing, as well as its ability to conduct “Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact” (MRSI) firing.

Developed in just nine months, the EVA 155mm system can fire five rounds per minute, nine rounds in two minutes, or 12 rounds in three minutes.

It has a maximum firing range of 41km using ERFB-BB (Extended-Range Full-Bore projectile with Base Burn) ammunition, and more than 50km with VLAP (Very Long Artillery Projectile) rounds.

Besides the “EVA” 155mm system, two other systems are reportedly competing to meet the Malaysian Ministry of Defence’s requirement for a 155mm SPH system: the French CAESAR and the “Yavuz” from the Turkish defence conglomerate Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş (MKE).

NEXTER and its local partner, Advanced Defence Systems Sdn Bhd (ADS), have long been promoting the CAESAR system to the Malaysian Army.

Several countries in the region, including Thailand and Indonesia, as well as some European nations, have already adopted the CAESAR system.

France and other European nations have even donated their CAESAR systems to Ukraine for use against Russian forces.

ADS has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NEXTER, allowing it to assemble the CAESAR 155mm 52-calibre howitzer system at its facility in Segamat, should it be selected by the Ministry of Defence.

 The 6×6 CAESAR 155mm system offered to Malaysia weighs over 17 tons and has an operational range of 600km.

It can carry up to 18 rounds of 155mm ammunition, with a re-supply vehicle following closely to reload after use. The CAESAR system has a maximum firing range of 40km.

Meanwhile, the “Yavuz” 155mm 52-calibre system, mounted on a 6×6 MAN truck with a 400-horsepower engine, can fire at targets up to 40km away and reach speeds of up to 90km/h.

MKE, a fully state-owned Turkish company, integrates its system with a Fire Control System developed by the prominent Turkish firm ASELSAN.

Defence Security Asia previously reported that MKE has offered an attractive package to the Ministry of Defence should the “Yavuz” system be selected.

 The offer includes free tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (TUAVs) to be used in conjunction with the artillery system.

“The TUAVs will be paired with the ‘Yavuz’ system to ensure the artillery operates more effectively,” a source told Defence Security Asia earlier. – DSA