Several Soon-to-be-Acquired 155mm SP Howitzer Will Be Deployed to Sabah – M’sia Defence Minister

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A number of the 155mm wheeled Self Propelled Howitzers (SPH) to be acquired by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) next year is set to be deployed in Sabah, east Malaysia,  announced the country Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Speaking in the Dewan Negara today, the deployment of the 155mm wheeled SPH in Sabah, is intended to enhance the ground forces’ capabilities in Sabah.

“Our acquisition of the Self Propelled Howitzers (SPH)… a number of these SPH will be stationed in Sabah to strengthen our ground forces in the region,” he stated, emphasizing that the MAF is continually working to improve security control in the concerned state.

At present, the country’s ground forces are equipped solely with towed howitzers of 105mm and 155mm calibers.

 The acquisition of the 155mm wheeled SPH is expected to significantly enhance the firepower of the ground forces.

 

Additionally, the Defence Minister also said that the construction of Felda Sahabat Camp in Lahad Datu, Sabah valued at RM547 million, is set to commence soon and is expected to be completed by 2027.

 Furthermore, the tender for the construction of the new Paradise Camp in Kota Belud, Sabah is expected to be awarded in September next year, with a value of RM584 million and an anticipated completion in 2027 within a 36-month timeframe.

Mohamad also stated that the ATM has received a proposal from ESSCOM (Eastern Sabah Security Command)  to deploy military personnel for duty at control posts on Ligitan Island.

However, he urged the Sabah state government to build the control posts to facilitate the placement of military personnel.

Meanwhile, industry sources informed Defence Security Asia that the Defence Ministry is evaluating five different SPH systems from various foreign companies for consideration.

 

The assessment process for these competing SPH systems is still in the early stages, with the final decision expected to be made next year.

 However, sources have indicated that the intense competition to supply 18 units of 155mm 52-caliber SPH to the Malaysia Army is between the “Yavuv” from Turkey and the “CAESAR” from France.

The “Yavuv” 155mm SPH is developed by the Turkish defence conglomerate Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş (MKE), while the “CAESAR” is developed by the French defense company NEXTER Systems.

“Intense competition is between these two systems.”

Earlier, Defence Security Asia reported that the package offered by Turkey was highly attractive, should the Malaysian Ministry of Defence choose the “Yavuv” 155mm 52-cal system.

 

 It is understood that the offers include the provision of a certain number of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (TUAV) for use in conjunction with the Turkish-produced SPH artillery system.

“The Army is proposed to receive nine TUAV systems for free. Each system consists of two unmanned aerial vehicles, making a total of 18 UAVs along with other supporting equipment.”

“The tactical unmanned aerial vehicle system will be paired with the ‘Yavuz’ SPH to ensure the SPH can carry out its duties more effectively,” said a source to Defence Security Asia.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has seen both armies using tactical unmanned aerial vehicles alongside artillery systems to ensure they have “eyes in the sky” to identify and accurately target ground objectives.

“The combination of tactical unmanned aerial vehicle systems with artillery systems will enable operators to detect targets attempting to conceal themselves on hills, in buildings, or under trees.”

“They (TUAV systems) can also clearly see where the artillery shells explode and adjust coordinates to ensure subsequent shots accurately hit the targets,” according to an informed source to Defence Security Asia. — DSA

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