KUALA LUMPUR: After four years of work and a budget of RM16 million, Malaysia unveiled today the country’s first-ever locally-built armoured vehicle – the Tarantula HMAV 4×4 – a high-mobility four-wheel-drive.
The 100% Malaysian-made vehicle was produced by Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd, proving that a local company has the capacity and skills to rival that of defence industry players worldwide.
Defence minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the armoured vehicle, which was completed three months ago, was built by a team of eight engineers and over 100 defence ministry (Mindef) staff involving a cost of RM16 million, including research and development, spread over four years.
“This is Malaysian-made. I have said (previously) that Mindef will focus on the fact that we have experts who are capable of producing our own arms, so that we do not have to depend on foreign countries for military equipment,” he told a media conference after launching the Tarantula HMAV 4×4 at Kem Sungai Besi here, today.
According to Ismail, the vehicle had undergone various evaluations, including road durability, fuel consumption, load and climbing tests, which were conducted on par with international military standards.
The vehicle was named Tarantula, after the arachnids which are capable of camouflage and able to kill animals much larger than themselves.
Ismail said the vehicle was also built to suit Malaysia’s climate.
“The technology will be improved if there is a need to enter the international market, and based on its existing capacity, Mildef International Technologies can produce 40 Tarantulas a year if there is demand,” he said.
With its durability and capability of reaching speeds of up to 110km an hour, the Tarantula is also capable of executing various important military missions and protecting its crew and passengers. - FMT
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