Malaysian Army Seeks 81mm Mobile Mortar Carrier System

18 Oktober 2019

Bars-8MMK mortar system (all images : ukroboronprom)

The Malaysian Army operates significant amount of 60mm and 81mm mortar systems distributed among its units. The Army also operates dedicated 81mm Mortar Carrier Vehicles in the form of Daewoo K200A1 Malaysian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV) and DEFTECH/FNSS ACV-300 Adnan Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) distributes among its mechanised infantry battalions.

Despite the recent announcement made by the Defence Minister with regard to the proposed development of 120mm mortar system, the Army continues to embark on rearming exercise of its troop through the issuance of a tender for the supply of 81 mm mortar systems.

Besides the 72 units of the weapon platform itself, the tender also specifies that contractor to provide Mobile Fire Controller (MFC), Mortar Command Post (MCP), Mortar Section and also coordinating fire with the artillery through Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS). The tender also requires the provision of mortar transporter for the 81mm mortar system.

It is likely that the mortar transporter is to be standardised with the new weapon platform vehicle or 1 tonne cargo truck that the Army is currently tendering out under a separate tender exercise as part of the multi tiered “Mobiliti” program.

During the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2018 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, a local defence company, Kembara Suci has unveils its Buraq 4×4 High Mobility Vehicle in mortar carrier configuration.

The vehicle is equipped with Alakran system, the similar system that has been equipped on Ukrainian Bars-8MMK vehicles.

The new tender highlights the evolution of the Malaysian Army infantry units which will now emphasises on motorised and/or mechanised capabilities by adding the mobility elements on its support platoons. Accuracy of the firepower and coordination between firebase are also being put into focus as part of the modernisation effort and lesson learnt from Ops Daulat in 2013.

81mm mortar systems played important role during Ops Daulat by providing the much needed firepower to suppress the enemies’ positions. An artillery barrage made up of 105mm Pack Howitzer and 81mm mortars decimated much of the enemy’s defence after the Royal malaysian Air Force (RMAF) jets wrecked havoc  in the pre-dawn attack in Lahad Datu on April 3, 2013.

(MFH)