DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies

Last updated

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd
Company type Private Limited Company
Industry Automotive
Defence
Aerospace & UAV
Founded17 October 1996;27 years ago (1996-10-17)
Headquarters,
Area served
South East Asia, East Africa
Key people
Tan Sri Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil bin Jamil (Chairman/Director)
Parent DRB-HICOM
Website www.deftech.com.my

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd, [1] officially known as DEFTECH, [1] is a Malaysian defence contractor involved in the development, manufacture, supply, deliver and commissioning of armoured, non-armoured, and logistic vehicles for the military and homeland security. DEFTECH is also a supplier of specialised vehicles and commercial buses. [2]

Contents

DEFTECH divisions includes DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (DEFTECH), Defence Services Sdn Bhd (DSSB), DEFTECH Systems Integration (DSI), DEFTECH Unmanned Systems (DUS) and DEFTECH Aviation (DAV). [3]

History

On 17 October 1996, DEFTECH, a wholly owned subsidiary of DRB-HICOM was incorporated to contribute towards Malaysia's industrialisation and self-reliant defence aspirations.

In 2001, DEFTECH established its armoured vehicle production in Pekan, Pahang at a cost of RM70 million to prepare for the collaboration with FNSS of Turkey to manufacture and supply the ACV-300 Adnan family of vehicles to the Ministry of Defence. The successful partnership translated into additional order for the vehicles.

Between 2011 and 2014, DEFTECH spent 500 million ringgit to upgrade its infrastructure, equipment and manpower to prepare for the development and production of the AV8 Gempita. [4] [5]

In 2014, DEFTECH acquired Composites Technology Research Malaysia under a multi million worth contract. [6] [7]

Divisions

Engineering Division and Corporate HQ

DEFTECH's corporate headquarters are located in a purpose-built office complex in Section 15 Shah Alam, Selangor. It is collocated in the same area as DEFTECH's Engineering Division.

In June 2004, DEFTECH established its Engineering Division.

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (DEFTECH)

The headquarters located at Shah Alam, Selangor while the assembly plant is located at Pekan, Pahang, in 2001 under ACV-300 Adnan manufacture program. [8] The plant is situated on a 25.6-acre site and has a covered work area of approximately 180,000 sq feet. The plant is manufactures of all armoured vehicles and was upgraded in 2014 to prepare for the production of the AV8 Gempita. [9]

Defence Services

DSSB Nilai logo DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn. Bhd.png
DSSB Nilai logo

DSSB is a fully owned subsidiary of DEFTECH and is located in Nilai Industrial Estate, Negeri Sembilan where it has a dedicated plant equipped to cater for the 3rd and 4th Line Maintenance of the Army's fleet of armoured vehicles. The workshop is responsible for producing the turrets for the AV8 Gempita. [10]

DEFTECH Systems Integration

Formerly known as CTRM Systems Integration. Incorporated in 2010 to develop Malaysian integration capabilities. The main course of this division is to designing, developing and integrating the systems and provided engineering and repairing of electronic devices. [11]

DEFTECH Unmanned Systems

Formerly known as Unmanned Systems Technology under CTRM. Incorporated in 2007 and offers a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicle products and services. [12]

DEFTECH Aviation

DEFTECH Aviation focus on aerospace and composites technology for aircraft. [13] This division also provides maintenance, repair and overhaul for the aircraft such as Malaysian Army AW109 helicopter, Royal Malaysia Police Cessna 208 fixed wing aircraft and other military and commercial aircraft. [14] [15]

Products

Military

DEFTECH ACV-300 Adnan

ACV-300 Adnan ACV 300 Adnan 25mm Bushmaster in display during 2022 MAF's open day in RMAF Kuantan.jpg
ACV-300 Adnan

In 2001, DEFTECH collaborated with FNSS to produce the ACV-300 Adnan for the Malaysian Army. DEFTECH was nominated by the government as the recipient of the Transfer of Technology package. On 21 April 2008, DEFTECH signed a contract with the Malaysian Ministry of Defence for the delivery of 48 additional units of ACV-300 Adnan and 8 units of ACV-S 120mm Mortar Carrier. A total of 267 units were produced by DEFTECH. [16]

DEFTECH AV8 Gempita (8x8)

AV8 Gempita DefTech AV8 Gempita in display during 2022 MAF's open day in RMAF Kuantan.jpg
AV8 Gempita

In June 2011, the Turkish Company FNSS signed a 'letter of offer and acceptance' by DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies (DEFTECH) for the assistance of design and development of the vehicles. The AV8 vehicle selected by the Malaysian military was based on the FNSS-designed Pars 8×8 multi-purpose, multi-mission, wheeled armoured vehicle. The contract included technology transfer arrangements to Deftech and logistics support for the Malaysian army, positioning the vehicle and its 12 variants to become Malaysia's first indigenous family of 8×8 armoured wheeled vehicle. In December 2014, the AV8 was officially inducted into service with the Malaysian Army in a ceremony at the DEFTECH plant in Pekan. As of 2022, a total of 257 units in service. [17]

DEFTECH AV4 Lipanbara (4x4)

AV4 Lipanbara AV 4 Lipanbara in display in AKM Pahang 2022.jpg
AV4 Lipanbara

In July 2015, DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (DEFTECH) was awarded a contract worth above RM100 million to supply the 4x4 High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV) to the Malaysian Armed Forces. This program involves the collaboration of Thailand’s Chaiseri Metal and Rubber Co Ltd for the designing of the 4x4 indigenous armoured vehicles customised to Malaysian infantry standard based on Chaiseri First Win. [18]

DEFTECH AV4 (4x4)

RG-34 RG34-ligte pantservoertuig, b, Waterkloof Lugmagbasis.jpg
RG-34

As Malaysia's sole armoured vehicle manufacturing company at that time, DEFTECH was involved in the development of the first generation of AV4 based on South African-designed RG-34 MRAPs (formerly known as Iguana FV4). One prototype was unveiled in 2006 but the procurement program of about 200 vehicles was cancelled. [19]

DEFTECH LTV (4x4)

In 2021, DEFTECH launched its first 4x4 light tactical vehicle. This Humvee-like vehicle consisted of various configuration for the various mission. [20] One of the notable version of the DefTech LTV is the 4x4 ambulance that planned to be uses by Malaysia Civil Defence Force and other health agencies of Malaysia. [21]

HICOM Handalan Truck (4x4)

Handalan truck uses by Malaysian Army HICOM DefTech Handalan in display during 2022 MAF's open day in RMAF Kuantan.jpg
Handalan truck uses by Malaysian Army

The HICOM Handalan trucks are multi-purpose logistics trucks made by DEFTECH for military purposes. The truck is one of DEFTECH's most produced designs, with 2,260 units produced for the Ministry of Defence [22] across two variants, as well as 115 units for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and 6 units for the Royal Australian Air Force. [23]

Aludra UAV

On March 28, 2022, DEFTECH unveiled a new UAV at the DSA 2022 convention under the brand name Aludra EE. [24]

Civilian

In 2010, DEFTECH won a contract to deliver 150 buses to Prasarana, Malaysia's public transport operator. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian Armed Forces</span> Combined military forces of Malaysia

The Malaysian Armed Forces, are the armed forces of Malaysia, consists of three branches; the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The number of MAF active personnel is 113,000 along with the reserve forces at 51,600. The Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong; the King of Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pekan, Pahang</span> Town in Pahang, Malaysia

Pekan is a town in Pekan District, Pahang, Malaysia. It is also the royal capital of the state. Its name comes from a flower, the Bunga Pekan. Pekan is also the name of the district the town is situated in, and a parliamentary constituency in its own right. It is the home of the state's royal family headed by Sultan Abdullah of Pahang. It is also the hometown of the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, and his son, sixth prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Both were Pekan's Member of Parliament.

DRB-HICOM Berhad is one of Malaysia's leading corporations, involved in the automotive manufacturing, assembly and distribution industry through its involvement in the passenger car and four wheel drive vehicle market segment, the national truck project and the national motorcycle project. DRB-HICOM is the majority shareholder of Malaysia's national car company, Proton, with China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group the other shareholder since an equity sale in 2017. The Group also owns national motorcycle company Modenas, with Japanese two-wheeler giant Kawasaki as its partner. DRB-HICOM assembles cars in Malaysia for Tata Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, with plans for expansion. The Group also retails various brands such Audi, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian Army</span> Land service branch of Malaysian Armed Force

The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Instead, the title is bestowed on selected army corps and regiments who have been accorded the honour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FNSS ACV-15</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

ACV-15 is the designation of an amphibious Infantry fighting vehicle family developed by the Turkish defense company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. This vehicle is also manufactured by DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (DefTech). The design is an attempt to combine the capabilities of an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and an armoured personnel carrier (APC). The ACV-15 is based on the American Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which in turn is based on the American M113A1 armored personnel carrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Armoured Corps (Malaysia)</span> Military unit

The Royal Armoured Corps or Kor Armor Diraja (KAD) is the armoured forces of the Malaysian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DRB-Hicom F.C.</span> Malaysian football club

DRB-HICOM Football Club is a football club established to compete in Malaysia football league. The team played in the Malaysia Premier League since 2010 until 2016 before they withdrew from the league. It was simultaneously decided that the club's 2nd team to remain competing in an amateur league. Therefore, DRB-HICOM FC remained competing in the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) League, where they have played since 2014. This team is composed of employees of DRB-HICOM Group of Companies and experienced local players.

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. is a Turkish defense manufacturer founded in 1988. It is owned 51% by Nurol Holding of Turkey and 49% by British–American firm BAE Systems Inc., and operates facilities located in Gölbaşı, Ankara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Win</span> Infantry mobility vehicle

First Win is a mine-resistant ambush protected infantry mobility vehicle with an all-welded steel monocoque V-hull that provides high level protection against a variety of battlefield threats, including mines and improvised explosive devices. Gross vehicle weight is about nine tonnes and it can carry up to 10 troops plus driver.

Isuzu HICOM Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (IHM) is a Malaysian commercial vehicle manufacturer operating under a joint venture between the DRB-HICOM and Isuzu companies, based in Peramu Jaya Industrial Area in Pekan, Malaysia.

HICOM Automotive Manufacturers (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (HA) is part of the DRB-HICOM Bhd. company for production and assembly of automobiles. The company's headquarters is located in Pekan, Malaysia. Previously, the company was also known as Automotive Manufacturers (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DefTech AV8</span> Malaysian armoured combat vehicle

The DefTech AV8Gempita (Thunder) is an amphibious multirole armoured vehicle developed by Malaysian defence company DefTech with the assistance of Turkey defence company FNSS. The Gempita resembles some of the Turkey FNSS Pars design and technology. The vehicle has a modular design which allows the fitting of different turrets, weapons, sensors, and communications systems on the same vehicle.

The automotive industry in Malaysia consists of 27 vehicle producers and over 640 component manufacturers. The Malaysian automotive industry is the third largest in Southeast Asia, and the 23rd largest in the world, with an annual production output of over 500,000 vehicles. The automotive industry contributes 4% or RM 40 billion to Malaysia's GDP, and employs a workforce of over 700,000 throughout a nationwide ecosystem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weststar Defence Industries</span> Malaysian defense contractor

Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, also known as Weststar Defense, is a Malaysian defence contractor involved in the development, manufacture and distribution of military and law enforcement vehicles, as well as providing consultancy services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CTRM Aludra</span> Type of aircraft

Aludra is a Malaysian unmanned aerial vehicle operating since 2010. The Aludra was designed and manufactured by Composites Technology Research Malaysia which is now under DefTech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Composites Technology Research Malaysia</span> Malaysian aerospace/composite company

Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM) is a Malaysian high technology based industrial company that involved in the aerospace and composites industries. The company's main products includes UAV, composites aerostructure, satcom antenna and radome. The company consists of CTRM Aero Composites, CTRM Composites Engineering, Composites Testing Laboratory, CTRM Aviation, CTRM Systems Integration and Unmanned Systems Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mildef International Technologies</span>

Mildef International Technologies or Mildef (former name: Kembara Suci Sdn. Bhd.) is a Malaysian private company established in 2005. Its main business is related to the defense sector especially in land vehicle. This involved the development, manufacture and distribution of military and law enforcement vehicles, as well as providing maintenance services.

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