(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Malaysian Army recently conducted the “Eksesais Panah Jaguh 2024”, an annual live-fire training event focusing on air defense artillery systems, aimed at evaluating the readiness of the Air Defense Artillery Group (GAPU).
The exercise took place at the Ground-to-Air Firing Range in Tanjung Logok, Johor, with the closing ceremony officiated today by Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
In a statement released via its Facebook account, the Malaysian Army highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Malaysian Army, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Among the weapons systems tested were the 35mm Oerlikon cannons and the “Starstreak” short-range air defense system.
This air attack simulation, designed to counter enemy air threats, featured remote-controlled aircraft as targets.
The Starstreak SHORAD system, developed by Thales Air Defence in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is capable of engaging targets up to 7 kilometers away.
Its missiles is capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 4, making it one of the fastest anti-aircraft missile systems in the world.
Besides Malaysia, other regional countries like Indonesia and Thailand also employ the Starstreak short-range air defense system.
Malaysia signed the procurement contract for the Starstreak system in 2015.
The exercise continued with attacks on enemy aircraft, using the “Gempita” armored vehicle equipped with a 30mm cannon from the First Regiment of the Royal Armored Corps and the ACV 300 ADNAN armored vehicle armed with a 25mm cannon from the 7th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (Mechanized).
Additionally, G-WAGON vehicles equipped with 12.7mm heavy machine guns from the 6th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment and sniper teams using BARRET 12.7mm rifles from the Zulu Squadron, 21st Commando Regiment, and Pandura Company (Para) also participated.
Distinguished guests at the event included Deputy Army Chief Lieutenant General Dato’ Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim, and Western Field Chief Lieutenant General Dato’ Pahlawan Hj Muhammad Huzaimi Sabri.
Also present were Eastern Field Chief Lieutenant General Dato’ Mohd Sofi Md Lepi, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dato’ Zaidan Atan, and other senior officers of the Malaysian Army. — DSA