DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd, officially known as DefTech, 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] Deftech takes a major milestone in aerospace and unmanned aerial vehicle industry after the acquisition of Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM).[2] DefTech divisions includes Defence Technologies, Defence Services, DefTech Systems Integration, DefTech Unmanned Systems and DefTech Aviation.[3]

This article uses bare URLs, which are uninformative and vulnerable to link rot. (September 2022)

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd

Type	Private Limited Company
Industry	Defence Automotive Aerospace & UAV
Founded	17 October 1996; 26 years ago (1996-10-17)
Headquarters	Shah Alam, Selangor , Malaysia
Area served	South East Asia, East Africa
Key people	Tan Sri Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil bin Jamil (Chairman/Director)
Parent	DRB-HICOM
Website	www.deftech.com.my

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 Adnan 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 AV8 Gempita.[4][5]

In 2014, DefTech acquired Composites Technology Research Malaysia under a multi million worth contract.[6]

Facilities and capabilities

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 :

• Establish a dedicated division to focus on commercial vehicles.
• Develop new products for the commercial market.
• Support specialist vehicle body fabrication requirements within the DRB-HICOM Group.
• Explore potential regional export markets.

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

• Covered factory area of 36,000 sq feet.
• Paint spray booth.
• Overhead cranes.
• Heavy duty workshop machines.
• Parking area of 15,120 sq feet.

Defence Technologies

Defence Technologies division is located at Pekan, Pahang, which was established at a cost of approximately RM70 million in 2001 under ACV-300 Adnan manufacture program.[7] 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 AV8 Gempita.[8]

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:

• A workshop for the repair (including base overhaul), maintenance, refurbishment, and upgrading of all types of soft skinned and armoured vehicles.
• A dedicated assembly/production line for all types of military vehicles.
• A comprehensive Research & Development Department equipped with latest CAD hardware and associated software which enables DefTech to undertake its own design work for its product development.
• A warehouse with the requisite facilities for the stocking and distribution of spare parts nationwide.
• A computerised Materials Resources Planning (MRP) System for all aspects of Production Planning and Control of assembly activities and inventory management.
• A test track for the testing of both armoured and soft skinned vehicles (wheeled and tracked) of up to 60 ton MBT complete with NATO Standard Obstacles.

Defence Services

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 AV8 Gempita.[9] The workshop facilities and equipment available at Nilai amongst others are as follows:

• 2 main hangars for repair and assembly: 50,000 sq ft with 10 and 20 tonnes overhead cranes.
• Dust free electronic workshop.
• Engine and transmission repair and testing area.
• 400 kW eddy current dynamometer.
• Electrical and electronic repair area.
• Shot blasting, painting booth and welding shop.

DefTech Systems Integration

Formerly known as CTRM Systems Integration. Incorporated in 2010 to develop Malaysian integration capabilities. The main course of this division is to designing, developing and integrating the systems and provided engineering and repairing of electronic devices.[10]

DefTech Unmanned Systems

Formerly known as Unmanned Systems Technology under CTRM. Incorporated in 2007 and offers a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicle products and services.[11]

DefTech Aviation

DefTech Aviation focus on aerospace and composites technology for aircraft.[12] This division also provides maintenance, repair and overhaul for the aircraft such as Malaysian Army AW109 helicopter, Royal Malaysia Police Cessna 208 fixed wing aircraft and other military and commercial aircraft.[13][14]

Products

Military

DefTech ACV-300 Adnan

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.

DefTech AV8 Gempita (8x8)

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 assistance of design and development 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 Lipanbara (4x4)

The DefTech AV4 is a four-wheeled light armoured vehicle manufactured by DefTech in compliance with NATO standards under license from Chaiseri of Thailand.[15] 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.

DefTech AV4 (4x4)

As Malaysia's sole armoured vehicle manufacturing company at that time, DefTech was involved in the development of the first generation of AV4 based on South African-designed RG-34 MRAPs (fomerly known as Iguana FV4). One prototype was unveiled in 2006 but the procurement program of about 200 vehicles was cancelled.[16]

DefTech LTV (4x4)

In 2021, DefTech launched its first 4x4 light tactical vehicle. This Humvee-like vehicle consisted of various configuration for the various mission.[17] One of the notable version of the DefTech LTV is the 4x4 ambulance that planned to be uses by Malaysia Civil Defence Force and other health agencies of Malaysia.[18]

HICOM Handalan Truck (4x4)

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[19] across two variants, as well as 115 units for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and 6 units for the Royal Australian Air Force.[20] Main Features of the HICOM Handalan II Vehicle:[21]

• A fully automatic transmission; Allison 2500 SP for speciality vehicle.
• Power to weight ratio is about 19.5 hp/ton.
• Optional equipment offered; an automatic chassis greasing system, vehicle monitoring system and heavy duty military type winch system (5,400 kg).
• Rotary lights switch arrangement for blackout and convoy lights.
• Vehicles variants such as self-loading crane, vehicle fitted with tail lifter, logistic carrier, combat repaired vehicle, binned truck, communication shelter and commercial version i.e. Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Department, RELA and other agencies.
• Capable of transporting one main battle tank or two infantry fighting vehicles or armoured personnel carriers.
• Configured to go off-road at full load for both administrative and operational transportation.

Civilian

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:

• City and intercity buses
• Coach buses
• Ambulances and hearse vans
• Mobile laboratories
• Mobile communication centres and mobile counters

In 2010, DefTech won a contract to deliver 150 buses to Prasarana, Malaysia's public transport operator, in a contract worth 90 million ringgit.[22]

Unmanned aerial vehicle

Note that some of the UAV products under CTRM company.

• Aludra[23]
• Wangsa

Radome

• Radome

References

External links

• Official Website (Archive) (in English)