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]
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Company type | Private Limited Company |
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Industry | Automotive Defence Aerospace & UAV |
Founded | 17 October 1996 |
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 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
editOn 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
editEngineering Division and Corporate HQ
editDEFTECH'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)
editThe 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
editDSSB 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
editFormerly 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
editFormerly 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
editDEFTECH 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
editMilitary
editDEFTECH ACV-300 Adnan
editIn 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)
editIn 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)
editIn 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)
editAs 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)
editIn 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)
editThe 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]
DEFTECH Armoured Heavy Recovery Vehicle (AHRV)
editAt Defense Service Asia (DSA) 2024, DEFTECH revealed its Armoured Heavy Recovery Vehicle (AHRV). This 8x8 vehicle are armoured and powered by a 520 hp Volvo D13A520 engine. AHRV also equipped with bulldozer blade in front of the vehicle, heavy recovery crane and winch. For the armament the vehicle is equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun.[24]
Aludra UAV
editOn March 28, 2022, DEFTECH unveiled a new UAV at the DSA 2022 convention under the brand name Aludra EE.[25]
Civilian
editIn 2010, DEFTECH won a contract to deliver 150 buses to Prasarana, Malaysia's public transport operator.[26]
References
edit- ^ a b "DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies, Universiti Pertahanan inks MoU to collaborate on R&D in automotive, UAV technologies | New Straits Times". 29 March 2022.
- ^ "DEFTECH". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Defence – DRB-HICOM Berhad". Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ "MSN". MSN. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ "Bernama". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ "Aerospace". Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "DRB-Hicom undertakes internal restructuring to strengthen defence business". 10 March 2017.
- ^ "Home". deftech.com.my.
- ^ "The Star archives". Archived from the original on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "The Star archives". Archived from the original on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Home". csysint.com.
- ^ "Home". deftechust.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Capabilities-Facilities". Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ "FlightGlobal-Roaring tigers:Malaysia".
- ^ "DSA 2018: Deftech lands Royal Malaysia Police Cessna aircraft support contract".
- ^ "Malaysian Army Eyes Upgrade of ACV-300 Adnan Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle". 9 February 2022.
- ^ "DSA 2022: Deftech showcases AV8 mortar version".
- ^ "Lipan Bara Upgraded with Nav Equipment". 17 March 2021.
- ^ Camp, Steve; Helmoed-Römer, Heitman (November 2014). Surviving the Ride: A pictorial history of South African Manufactured Mine-Protected vehicles. Pinetown: 30 Degrees South. p. 241. ISBN 978-1928211-17-4.
- ^ "Prototaip 'klon Humvee' buatan DEFTECH ini guna casis Mitsubishi Triton, betul ke? (in Malay)". 10 March 2021.
- ^ "4x4 Ambulances". 19 July 2021.
- ^ "DefTech". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "DefTech". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "DEFTECH unveils AHRV vehicle in DSA 2024 Malaysia".
- ^ "DRB-HICOM unit Deftech unveils Malaysia's first locally-designed and developed tactical UAV | New Straits Times". 28 March 2022.
- ^ "MyRapid" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
External links
edit- Official Website (Archive) (in English)