Malaysian Army’s K200 MIFV Armored Vehicles Set for Upgrades, Capability Enhancements

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace and its local partner, Cendana Auto, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to upgrade the Malaysian Army’s K200 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV) tracked armored vehicles.

On August 2, the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)Technology Partnership Strategy between Cendana Auto Sdn Bhd and Hanwha Aerospace was witnessed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, Datuk Seri Isham Ishak.

Hanwha Aerospace confirmed to the international defense portal, Janes, on August 9 that both companies will develop a prototype of the upgraded K200 MIFV for testing and evaluation purposes.

Upon verification, the upgrade program will cover all K200 MIFV armored vehicles owned by the Malaysian Army.

The report by Janes did not disclose the contract value for the upgrade of the Malaysian Army’s K200 MIFV vehicles.

 

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement is an effort to develop the local defense industry in the field of Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) of armored vehicles.

It is also part of the initiative to position Malaysia as a regional MRO-Automotive hub.

“This collaboration also has the potential to contribute to the development of the local defense industry while providing opportunities and added value for the local workforce to gain knowledge and expertise in the field of Defense Technology & Engineering and R&D.”

A spokesperson for Hanwha Aerospace told Janes that the work to implement the Memorandum of Agreement would commence immediately.

 “However, we are unable to disclose the timeline. After undergoing the testing process, the program will be expanded to cover all K200 MIFV armored vehicles owned by the Malaysian Armed Forces,” the source said.

 

The upgrade work on the armored vehicles is expected to include day/night thermal optics, a Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS), and a more powerful engine.

The upgrades will be carried out by Cendana Auto, based in Putrajaya.

Hanwha Aerospace declined to provide detailed information on the equipment and components used in the K200 MIFV vehicles.

 The Malaysian Army is believed to own 111 K200 MIFV armored vehicles, which were acquired in several phases to support military operations under the United Nations (UN) flag in the conflict-ridden region of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Malaysian Army received all the K200 MIFV armored vehicles in stages between 1993 and 1995.

The K200 MIFV vehicles weigh 13 tons and are equipped with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. – DSA