The Cendana Auto 4x4 is a Malaysian military light utility vehicle or light tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by a local company Cendana Auto. This vehicles has similarities to the Humvee made by the United States. It is designed to have the ability to be modular for use in various operations hence its consist of various configuration depending on the mission.[1]
| Cendana Auto 4x4 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cendana Auto FFR on display at the 2024 RBAF Defexpo | |
| Type | Military light utility vehicle / Light tactical vehicle |
| Place of origin | Malaysia |
| Service history | |
| In service | Malaysia |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2018 |
| Manufacturer | Cendana Auto |
| Produced | 2020–present |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 5.2 meters |
| Width | 2.1 meters |
| Height | 2.3 meters |
Main armament | See variants |
| Engine | 2.8 L Turbo Diesel |
| Suspension | 4x4 |
| Maximum speed | 110–180 km/h |
History
editThe development of the vehicle first unveiled by the company in 2018.[2] Its first started with the Special Operation Vehicle (SOV) variant where Cendana Auto introduces its SOV prototype to the public in conjunction of Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2018. According to the company, this SOV prototype was built in response to the Malaysian Army requirement for the light assault vehicle procurement. The SOV variant has a length of 4.95 meters, 1.85 meters high and 1.85 meters wide. Its powered by a single stage turbo diesel engine of 197 horsepower and the speed of the vehicle can reach to a maximum of 170 km/h.[3]
In 2019, Malaysian Army open a tender to seeks the new light tactical vehicle in various configuration. The variants includes Fitted For Radio Vehicles (FFR), Special Operations Vehicles (SOV), Machine Gun Carriers, Grenade Launcher Carriers and Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicles (ATGM).[4] In response to this tender, Cendana Auto announces that they will build the new improved and enlarged version prototype of the vehicle for the testing by the Malaysian Army and ready to be delivering more than 200 units vehicles to the Malaysian Army in various configuration starting 2021.[5]
Variants
editFitted For Radio
editCommand and communication variant equipped with communication suite.[6] 70 units ordered by Malaysian Army.
Special Operation Vehicle
editKnown as SF-21X. First unveiled in Defence Service Asia 2018. Offered to the Malaysian Army under the light assault vehicle / light strike vehicle procurement program.[7] 16 units ordered by Malaysian Army. In Defence Service Asia 2024, Cendana Auto unveiled an updated version of the vehicle called Magatti. The vehicle powered by a 2.8 litres turbodiesel engine that providing 204 horsepower. It has 5.5 meters long, 2.0 meters wide and 2.5 meters high. The weigh of the vehicle is 4.86 tonnes. It can carry up to 12 operators, two in the front, three in the rear, the machine gunner at the rear, and three per side seated on foldable seats on the side of the rear cargo area. Magatti can be loaded by C-130 Hercules.[8]
Weapon Carrier
edit_01.jpg)
Known as Armed Tactical Ground Vehicles ARTAC. Equipped with weapon such as machine gun, grenade launcher and Karaok ATGM.[4] 49 units ordered by Malaysian Army.
Mortar Transporter
editThe MT-815 is equipped with Tecnesis 3000 81mm mortar with the Talos fire control system. Able to carried 90 rounds of ammunition. It can embark a total of six personnel. 72 units ordered by Malaysian Army for the first batch.[9] In 2024, Malaysian Army increased the order to 60 more units bringing the total number of the vehicle to 132 units.[10]
Troop Transporter
editKnown as Vextor. The Vextor is 5.6 meters long, 2.05 meters wide and 2.06 high. Powered by Ford 4-cylinder 2.0 litres turbo intercooler diesel which can gives a 139 horsepower. The vehicle can be installed a light remotely controlled weapon station on the roof and the weapon's console would be fitted inside the vehicle.[8]
Operators
edit
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mohd Zaky, Zainuddin (2018-06-10). "Kesempurnaan Kualiti Jadi Kekuatan Cendana Auto (In Malay)". bharian.com.
- ^ "Cendana Auto Eyes More Military Jobs" – via PressReader.
- ^ "Four Contenders For New Malaysian Army SOV". edrmagazine.eu.
- ^ a b "Mobility Programme Of The Army". malaysiandefence.com.
- ^ "Cendana Auto-The New Defence Player". malaysiandefence.com.
- ^ "Malaysia Seeks Score Peacekeeping APCs". shepardmedia.com.
- ^ "DSA 2018-Cendana Introduces New SOV". armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-07.
- ^ a b "DSA 2024 – Two new light vehicles from Malaysia Cendana Auto".
- ^ "More New Stuff for The Army". Malaysian Defence. 26 October 2022.
- ^ a b "More Mortars For The Army, Part 3".
- ^ "Shepard - DSA 2022 - Cendana Auto Set To Complete Major 4x4 Delivery".
- ^ At the beginning; from the total of 207 units of all variant, 72 units were the Mortar Transporter. In 2024, it is confirmed that the army has increased the order from 72 units to 132 units of the Mortar Transporter bringing the total number of 267 units of all variant.