An overview of Malaysia's Gempita vehicles that were recently inducted. (Malaysia Ministry of Defence)
Malaysia's 3 Royal Armoured Regiment (RAR) has inducted its first squadron of AV8 Gempita 8×8 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), the Malaysian Army disclosed via its official social channels from late August 2024.
The vehicles were inducted on 26 August in a commissioning parade that was held at Sungai Petani in the West Malaysia state of Kedah, the service added.
“This event was held to mark the historical transfer of the vehicles from the 2 RAR to the 3 RAR to support the operational and training requirements, and maintain the crew competency of the 3 RAR,” the service added.
No details on the number of vehicles were provided, but images that have since been released by the Malaysian Army indicate that a total of 14 vehicles were present during the commissioning parade.
Of these, one unit is seen with a Red Crescent livery, indicating its function as an armoured ambulance platform, while another unit is seen with vehicle recovery contraptions, which specifies its role as a maintenance and technical support unit.
In addition, one of the Gempita units transferred is configured as an armoured surveillance vehicle and this is apparent from its mast-mounted sensors, while another IFV appears to have been configured as a command vehicle.
All other units have been configured with the Denel Land Systems-supplied LCT-30 turret that is incorporated with a 30 mm main gun and a 7.62 mm secondary weapon, indicating their roles as ‘pura play' armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs).
The Gempita is a 29,200 kg IFV that can accommodate a crew of 10. Powered by a Deutz TCD 2015 V6 engine, the vehicle can attain a top speed of 100 km/h.
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