DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies
 | |
| Industry | Defence Automobile |
|---|---|
| Founded | Incorporated 1996 |
| Headquarters | , |
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 |
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
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
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 vehicle is used by the Malaysian Army and the Royal Malaysian Police with over 211 units delivered.
The product is economical due to its simple and low maintenance design and is produced and assembled locally.
ACV-300
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[4] across two variants, as well as 115 units for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and 6 units for the Royal Australian Air Force.[5] Main Features of the HICOM Handalan II Vehicle:[6]
- 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 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.[7]
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.[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.
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 ft
DSSB Nilai
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.[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.
References
- ^ "Deftech". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "MSN". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ "Bernama". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ "DefTech". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "DefTech". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Military today". Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "MyRapid" (PDF). Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "The Star archives". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "The Star archives". Retrieved 24 November 2014.