Weststar GK-M1/M2 is a Malaysian military light utility vehicle or light tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by Weststar Defence Industries.
| Weststar GK-M1/M2 | |
|---|---|
 The side view of the Weststar GK-M1 4x4 vehicle | |
| Type | Military light utility vehicle / Light tactical vehicle |
| Place of origin | Malaysia |
| Service history | |
| In service | Malaysia |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2012[1] |
| Manufacturer | Weststar Defence Industries |
| Produced | 2015–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4 tonnes |
| Length | 5.7 meters |
| Width | 1.8 meters |
| Height | 2 meters |
Main armament | See variants |
| Suspension | 4×4 |
| Maximum speed | 110 km/h |
History
editWeststar delivered an unknown quantity of the GK-M1 in 2015.[2] On April 20, 2016, Weststar received another contract from the Malaysian Armed Forces to equip them with 44 Weststar GK-M1 Rapid Rover vehicles.[3] An additional 44 were also to be delivered.[4]
During the Defence & Security Exhibition 2015 convention, Thales announced that it had signed a contract to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD anti-air defense system which is consist of Starstreak missiles, Control Master 200 radar and weapon control system. This system will be install on Weststar GK-M1.[5][3]
In Defence Service Asia (DSA) 2024, Weststar confirmed that they has delivered 50 GK-M2s to the Malaysian Armed Forces. Another 50 will be delivered in 2025 and another 50 in 2026.[6] It's reported that GK-M1s and GS Cargo vehicles will replace Land Rover Defenders in service.[7]
Design
editVariants
edit
Fitted For Radio
editCommand and communication vehicle to accommodate communications equipment.
Ambulance
editAmbulance vehicle with accommodation of stretchers in the rear compartment.
Special Operation Vehicle
editAn off-road vehicle for special forces units made with COTS parts, unveiled in Defence Service Asia 2016.[9] Offered to the Grup Gerak Khas under the light strike vehicle procurement program.[10]
Weapon Carrier
editA variant equipped with weapons on top of the vehicle. Weapons mounted includes the M134D-H minigun, machine gun and grenade launcher.[11]
Air Defence
editAir defence variant equipped with Starstreak surface-to-air missiles.[5] They're installed through a Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML).[12]
Operators
edit
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "DSA 2018: Testing times ahead for Malaysian SOF vehicles - Special Operations - Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com.
- ^ Abas, Marhalim. "Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform - Malaysian Defence". Retrieved 2018-12-15.
- ^ a b "DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue - LWI - Land Warfare - Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com.
- ^ "DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue - Shephard Media - Aerospace, defence and security news and analysis". 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Malaysia's Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia - Thales Group". www.thalesgroup.com.
- ^ a b "Its the Guardian Extreme for GOF APC".
- ^ https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/08/treading-lightly/
- ^ says, Marhalim Abas. "Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform - Malaysian Defence".
- ^ "New Weststar 4x4 Defence Special Operations Vehicle SOV at DSA 2016 11904165". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
- ^ "Asian SOF looks for Protected Mobility". January 21, 2020.
- ^ "DSA 2018: Dillon Aero's Prospects in Asia Pacific". www.monch.com.
- ^ "MALAYSIA TESTS STARSTREAK MISSILES | Article - Fri 02 Nov 2018 08:41:00 AM UTC | airsoc.com. on airsoc.com". Airsoc.com.
- ^ "Home - Ministry of Defense Malaysia".
- ^ "Our Five Favourite Vehicles Of The Malaysian Army - Insights - Carlist.my". Carlist.my - Malaysia's No.1 Car Site.