DefTech

This article is about the Malaysian defence company. For the Japanese pop band, see Def Tech.
DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies
Industry Defence
Automobile
Founded Incorporated 1996
Headquarters Shah Alam, Malaysia
Number of locations
3
Area served
South East Asia, East Africa
Key people
Tan Sri Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil bin Jamil (Chairman/Director)
Products Vehicles
Parent DRB-HICOM
Website www.deftech.com.my

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysian defence contractor involved in the development, manufacture and supply of armoured and logistic vehicles for the military and homeland security. Deftech is also a supplier of specialised vehicles and commercial buses.[1]

History

On 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 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 DefTech AV8.[2][3]

Vehicles

Military

RG-34

As Malaysia's sole armoured vehicle manufacturing company, DefTech was involved in the production of 200 South African-designed RG-34 MRAPs under licence.[4]

DefTech AV8

A DefTech AV8
Main article: DefTech AV8

The DefTech AV8 is DefTech's most significant project, with 257 orders to date.

In June 2011, the Turkish Company FNSS signed a ‘letter of offer and acceptance’ by DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies (DefTech) for the design, development and manufacture 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.

DefTech AV4

Main article: First Win

The DefTech AV4 is a four-wheeled light armoured wheeled vehicle manufactured by DefTech in compliance with NATO standards. The vehicle has a modular design to meet various roles & applications and is incorporated with well proven “Off-The-Shelf” automotive components for ensuring high reliability and easy logistic support worldwide.

The product is economical due to its simple and low maintenance design and is produced and assembled locally.

ACV-300

ACV-300 of the Malaysian Army
Main article: ACV-15

In 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. The successful partnership translated into additional orders for the vehicle.

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.

The vehicle is fully amphibious without preparation, has high reliability and low cost of ownership, outstanding mobility in all terrain, high protection level, is simple to operate, maintain and repair and also air transportable by the Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130s.

HICOM Handalan trucks

The 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[5] across two variants, as well as 115 units for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and 6 units for the Royal Australian Air Force.[6] Main Features of the HICOM Handalan II Vehicle:[7]

Civilian

A Rapidkl bus produced by DefTech

DefTech's commercial vehicles complement the military side of DefTech's business by meeting large quantity orders and providing continuous logistic support. DefTech is capable of producing and customising:

In 2010, DefTech won a contract to deliver 150 buses to Prasarana, Malaysia's public transport operator, in a contract worth 90 million ringgit.[8]

Facilities

Defence & Security Manufacturing Division

DefTech's Defence & Security Manufacturing Division plant is located at Pekan, Pahang, which was established at a cost of approximately RM70 million in 2001. 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 responsible for the manufacture of all armoured vehicles and was given a RM100 million upgrade in 2014 to prepare for the production of the DefTech AV8.[9]

The Plant is fitted with required resources and facilities and has the flexibility to undertake a variety of different jobs at once. It is also fully equipped with facilities which are capable of generating most of its requirements in house. The Plant also has:

Engineering Division and Corporate HQ

DefTech'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 to widen the customer base. The main aim of establishing the Engineering Division was to

The Engineering Division's factory has the following resources and facilities.

DSSB Nilai

DSSB Nilai logo

DSSB 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 DefTech AV8.[10] The workshop facilities and equipment available at Nilai amongst others are as follows:

References

  1. "Deftech". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. "MSN". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  3. "Bernama". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  4. 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.
  5. "DefTech". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  6. "DefTech". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  7. "Military today". Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  8. "MyRapid" (PDF). Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  9. "The Star archives". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  10. "The Star archives". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
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