[World] Malaysian Army Receives 12 Units Of IFV25 From Deftech

GPV Colonel 8x8 design [army-technology.com]

DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) on Saturday handed over 12 units of infantry fighting vehicles with 25mm gun (IFV25) to the Malaysian Army at Deftech plant here.

The handing over of the 8x8 vehicles called 'Gempita' by DRB-Hicom group managing director Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil to army chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

IFV25 is the first of 12 variants of fighting vehicles developed and manufactured by Deftech in Pekan.

Earlier Najib attended a closed door briefing by Deftech at the factory site before touring the plant to check out Deftech's operation.

Meanwhile, Mohd Khamil said the handover is part of the 257 units to be manufactured by Deftech for the army based on a contract in 2011.

"The 12 units were designed, developed and manufactured by Deftech here and next year, 67 more units will be handed over to the army," he said.

He said to ensure production objective and capability of each machinery meets expectations, Deftech invested RM500 million to upgrade its infrastructure, equipment and manpower.

Raja Mohamed Affandi said the latest asset would further raise the level of preparedness of the army against enemy threats.

"The assets will further enhance us in monitoring strategic locations.

"We are confident the vehicles will be different from fighting vehicles we have currently and will further boost the image of the army," he said.

 Video Test Ride on Gempita 8X8 IFV post by karayaimanis 

  ★ Bernama